CVE-2024-12728: A weak credentials vulnerability potentially allows privileged system access via SSH to Sophos Firewall older

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-12728?

firewall firmware: upgrade to 20.0.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-12728 being exploited?

CVE-2024-12728 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2024-12728 affect?

CVE-2024-12728 affects firewall firmware. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A weak credentials vulnerability potentially allows privileged system access via SSH to Sophos Firewall older than version 20.0 MR3 (20.0.3).

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-12728?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2024-12728 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting firewall firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A weak credentials vulnerability potentially allows privileged system access via SSH to Sophos Firewall older than version 20.0 MR3 (20.0.3).

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1391
Published	2024-12-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Sophos Limited · Vendor: sophos

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-12-19 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sophos firewall firmware UPGRADE

Affected: < 20.0.3

Fixed in: 20.0.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-12728?

firewall firmware: upgrade to 20.0.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-12728 being exploited?

CVE-2024-12728 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-12728 affect?

CVE-2024-12728 affects firewall firmware. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A weak credentials vulnerability potentially allows privileged system access via SSH to Sophos Firewall older than version 20.0 MR3 (20.0.3).

How urgent is CVE-2024-12728?

Priority 55/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Sophos vulnerabilities

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References

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