CVE-2024-13974: A business logic vulnerability in the Up2Date component of Sophos Firewall older than version 21.0 MR1 (20.0.1

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-13974?

firewall firmware: upgrade to 21.0.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-13974 being exploited?

CVE-2024-13974 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-2024-13974 affect?

CVE-2024-13974 affects firewall firmware. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). A business logic vulnerability in the Up2Date component of Sophos Firewall older than version 21.0 MR1 (20.0.1) can lead to attackers controlling the firewall’s DNS environment to achieve remote code execution.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-13974?

Priority 57/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

HIGH 8.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2024-13974 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting firewall firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A business logic vulnerability in the Up2Date component of Sophos Firewall older than version 21.0 MR1 (20.0.1) can lead to attackers controlling the firewall’s DNS environment to achieve remote code execution.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	9.1% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-807
Published	2025-07-21
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

2025-07-21 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sophos firewall firmware UPGRADE

Affected: < 21.0.1

Fixed in: 21.0.1

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-2024-13974?

firewall firmware: upgrade to 21.0.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-13974 being exploited?

CVE-2024-13974 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-2024-13974 affect?

CVE-2024-13974 affects firewall firmware. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). A business logic vulnerability in the Up2Date component of Sophos Firewall older than version 21.0 MR1 (20.0.1) can lead to attackers controlling the firewall’s DNS environment to achieve remote code execution.

How urgent is CVE-2024-13974?

Priority 57/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Sophos vulnerabilities

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References

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