CVE-2025-54464 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the ZKTeco WL20 Biometric Attendance System, specifically in firmware versions up to and including ZLM31-FXO1-3.1.8. The core issue stems from the device's firmware storing administrative and user credentials in cleartext without any form of encryption or secure protection. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-312, which relates to the cleartext storage of sensitive information. An attacker with physical access to the device can extract the firmware binary, reverse engineer it, and retrieve these unencrypted credentials. This exposure allows unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions and potentially to the broader network or systems integrated with the attendance system. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.0 reflects a high severity, with the attack vector being physical (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges or user interaction required (PR:N, UI:N), but with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk in environments where physical security cannot be guaranteed. The lack of encryption in credential storage is a critical design flaw that undermines the security posture of the biometric attendance system, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication controls and manipulate attendance records or gain further network access.

For European organizations using the ZKTeco WL20 Biometric Attendance System, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. The exposure of administrative and user credentials can lead to unauthorized access to attendance data, manipulation of biometric records, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. This could result in data breaches involving personally identifiable information (PII) of employees, disruption of attendance tracking and payroll processes, and erosion of trust in security systems. In sectors with strict regulatory requirements such as GDPR, unauthorized access and data manipulation could lead to compliance violations and significant fines. Additionally, organizations in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, or government sectors that rely on biometric attendance for access control could face operational disruptions or targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability. The physical access requirement somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments with shared or less controlled physical access, such as large offices, factories, or public-facing facilities.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first verify if their ZKTeco WL20 devices are running firmware versions at or below ZLM31-FXO1-3.1.8 and prioritize upgrading to a patched firmware version once available. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should implement strict physical security controls to restrict unauthorized access to the devices, including secure placement, surveillance, and access logging. Additionally, consider deploying network segmentation to isolate the attendance system from critical network segments, limiting the potential impact of compromised credentials. Regularly audit device configurations and monitor for unusual access patterns or anomalies in attendance data. If possible, replace vulnerable devices with models that implement secure credential storage and encryption. Engage with ZKTeco support to obtain timelines for firmware updates or alternative mitigation strategies. Finally, educate staff about the risks of physical device tampering and establish incident response procedures for suspected device compromise.