CVE-2025-44015: CWE-77 in QNAP Systems Inc. HybridDesk Station
A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect HybridDesk Station. If an attacker gains local network access, they can then exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands. We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following version: HybridDesk Station 4.2.18 and later
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-44015 is a command injection vulnerability identified in QNAP Systems Inc.'s HybridDesk Station, specifically affecting version 4.2.x prior to 4.2.18. HybridDesk Station is a multimedia and productivity platform integrated into QNAP NAS devices, allowing users to interact with their NAS through a desktop-like interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77, which involves improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('Command Injection'). This flaw allows an attacker with local network access and low-level privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond low-level access, making it easier to exploit within a compromised or trusted network segment. The CVSS v4.0 score is 2.3 (low severity), reflecting limited impact due to the requirement of local network access and low privileges. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vendor has addressed this issue in HybridDesk Station version 4.2.18 and later, indicating that patching is available and should be applied promptly. The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to escalate their access or disrupt NAS operations by executing arbitrary commands, which may lead to data exposure or service disruption if exploited in a targeted manner.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using QNAP NAS devices with HybridDesk Station 4.2.x, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where local network access is not tightly controlled. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data stored on the NAS. This is particularly concerning for organizations relying on QNAP NAS for critical data storage, backup, or multimedia services. While the low CVSS score suggests limited risk, the impact could be more severe in scenarios where attackers gain foothold within the internal network, such as through phishing or compromised devices. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement or data exfiltration within corporate networks. Given the widespread use of QNAP NAS devices in small to medium enterprises and some larger organizations across Europe, failure to patch could expose sensitive business information and disrupt operations. Additionally, industries with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) must consider the compliance implications of any data breach resulting from exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate upgrade of HybridDesk Station to version 4.2.18 or later to apply the official patch addressing CVE-2025-44015. 2. Restrict local network access to QNAP NAS devices by implementing network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs) to limit exposure only to trusted users and systems. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts targeting NAS devices. 4. Employ strong authentication mechanisms and limit user privileges on NAS devices to reduce the risk of low-privilege exploitation. 5. Regularly audit NAS device configurations and firmware versions to ensure timely application of security updates. 6. Educate network users about the risks of local network compromise and enforce endpoint security controls to prevent initial footholds. 7. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) capable of detecting command injection attempts or anomalous NAS activity. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, privilege management, and active monitoring tailored to the specific threat vector.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden
CVE-2025-44015: CWE-77 in QNAP Systems Inc. HybridDesk Station
Description
A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect HybridDesk Station. If an attacker gains local network access, they can then exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands. We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following version: HybridDesk Station 4.2.18 and later
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-44015 is a command injection vulnerability identified in QNAP Systems Inc.'s HybridDesk Station, specifically affecting version 4.2.x prior to 4.2.18. HybridDesk Station is a multimedia and productivity platform integrated into QNAP NAS devices, allowing users to interact with their NAS through a desktop-like interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77, which involves improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('Command Injection'). This flaw allows an attacker with local network access and low-level privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond low-level access, making it easier to exploit within a compromised or trusted network segment. The CVSS v4.0 score is 2.3 (low severity), reflecting limited impact due to the requirement of local network access and low privileges. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vendor has addressed this issue in HybridDesk Station version 4.2.18 and later, indicating that patching is available and should be applied promptly. The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to escalate their access or disrupt NAS operations by executing arbitrary commands, which may lead to data exposure or service disruption if exploited in a targeted manner.
Potential Impact
For European organizations using QNAP NAS devices with HybridDesk Station 4.2.x, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where local network access is not tightly controlled. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data stored on the NAS. This is particularly concerning for organizations relying on QNAP NAS for critical data storage, backup, or multimedia services. While the low CVSS score suggests limited risk, the impact could be more severe in scenarios where attackers gain foothold within the internal network, such as through phishing or compromised devices. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement or data exfiltration within corporate networks. Given the widespread use of QNAP NAS devices in small to medium enterprises and some larger organizations across Europe, failure to patch could expose sensitive business information and disrupt operations. Additionally, industries with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) must consider the compliance implications of any data breach resulting from exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate upgrade of HybridDesk Station to version 4.2.18 or later to apply the official patch addressing CVE-2025-44015. 2. Restrict local network access to QNAP NAS devices by implementing network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs) to limit exposure only to trusted users and systems. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts targeting NAS devices. 4. Employ strong authentication mechanisms and limit user privileges on NAS devices to reduce the risk of low-privilege exploitation. 5. Regularly audit NAS device configurations and firmware versions to ensure timely application of security updates. 6. Educate network users about the risks of local network compromise and enforce endpoint security controls to prevent initial footholds. 7. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) capable of detecting command injection attempts or anomalous NAS activity. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, privilege management, and active monitoring tailored to the specific threat vector.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- qnap
- Date Reserved
- 2025-04-21T07:56:46.494Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68b1e445ad5a09ad0079b80b
Added to database: 8/29/2025, 5:32:53 PM
Last enriched: 8/29/2025, 5:49:26 PM
Last updated: 8/29/2025, 6:32:53 PM
Views: 2
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