CVE-2025-30264 is a command injection vulnerability identified in QNAP Systems Inc.'s QTS operating system, specifically affecting versions 5.2.x prior to 5.2.5.3145. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('Command Injection'). The flaw allows a remote attacker who has already obtained a user account with low privileges (PR:L) to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability is exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), and it does not require any special privileges beyond a user account. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), indicating that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The vulnerability does not involve scope changes or require authentication beyond the user account, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. QNAP has addressed this vulnerability in QTS version 5.2.5.3145 and QuTS hero h5.2.5.3138 and later builds, released in May 2025. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation or sanitization in command execution components of QTS, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands remotely once authenticated. Given QNAP's widespread use in network-attached storage (NAS) devices, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on these devices for critical data storage and sharing.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30264 can be substantial. QNAP NAS devices are commonly used in small to medium enterprises, educational institutions, and some larger organizations for centralized file storage, backup, and collaboration. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized command execution, enabling attackers to escalate privileges, deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt business operations by corrupting or deleting stored data. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and reputational damage. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary commands remotely after gaining user credentials increases the risk of lateral movement within networks, potentially compromising other critical systems. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and high impact necessitate urgent patching and monitoring. Compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR could also be jeopardized if sensitive personal data stored on affected devices is compromised.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading all QNAP QTS devices to version 5.2.5.3145 or later, or QuTS hero h5.2.5.3138 or later, as these versions contain the official patches for CVE-2025-30264. Beyond patching, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit user account creation and enforce strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Network segmentation should be employed to isolate NAS devices from critical infrastructure and limit exposure to the internet or untrusted networks. Monitoring and logging of user activities on QNAP devices should be enhanced to detect anomalous command executions or privilege escalations. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for this vulnerability and related command injection risks. Additionally, organizations should review and harden any scripts or automation interacting with QNAP devices to prevent injection vectors. Backup strategies must be verified to ensure rapid recovery in case of data corruption or ransomware attacks stemming from exploitation.