Detect CVE-2025-14733: WatchGuard Firebox Out-of-Bounds Write Exploitation in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2025-14733, an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) in WatchGuard Firebox devices. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) and may allow remote code execution or device compromise. Detection focuses on anomalous management interface activity, unexpected process crashes, and network indicators consistent with exploitation.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution Impact
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip,
destinationip,
destinationport,
logsourcename(logsourceid) AS log_source,
CATEGORYNAME(category) AS event_category,
"username",
UTF8(payload) AS raw_payload,
magnitude
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) ILIKE '%watchguard%'
AND (
(
UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%crash%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%segfault%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%SIGSEGV%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%core dump%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%out of bounds%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%buffer overflow%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%heap corruption%'
OR UTF8(payload) ILIKE '%stack smashing%'
)
OR (
destinationport IN (443, 4117, 4118, 8080)
AND magnitude > 7
)
)
AND LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) ILIKE '%watchguard%'
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LAST 24 HOURSQueries QRadar for WatchGuard Firebox events containing memory corruption indicators or high-magnitude alerts on management ports, correlating with CVE-2025-14733 exploitation activity.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- High-magnitude events from legitimate security scanning tools authorized against Firebox devices
- Device restart events following scheduled maintenance generating crash-like log entries
- Firmware update processes producing abnormal exit codes and process termination messages
- Monitoring systems creating high-volume connections to management interfaces
Other platforms for CVE-2025-14733
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate WatchGuard Management Interface Reconnaissance
Expected signal: Network connection logs showing SYN packets to ports 4117, 4118, 8080, and 443 from the attacker IP; IDS alerts on service enumeration; Firebox access logs showing connection attempts
- Test 2Malformed HTTP Request to Firebox Management Interface
Expected signal: Firebox crash or exception log entries; process termination events for web management daemon; syslog SIGSEGV or abnormal exit entries; network connection termination without proper HTTP response
- Test 3Post-Exploitation: Simulate Unauthorized Admin Account Creation Check
Expected signal: WatchGuard audit log entry for admin account creation; API access logs showing POST to user management endpoint; SIEM alert on privileged account creation on network device
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2025-14733 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.