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Zkteco Zkbiosecurity EUVDEUVD-2016-10813

| CVE-2016-20029 MEDIUM
Incorrect Default Permissions (CWE-276)
2026-03-15 VulnCheck
6.9
CVSS 4.0 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Default permission hardening
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS 6.2 with AV:L (local attack vector) and PR:N (no privileges required) indicates moderate severity, but real-world exploitability is constrained by the local-only attack vector—an attacker must have local system access. The high confidentiality impact (C:H) is significant for biometric systems storing sensitive data. Exploitation is straightforward (AC:L, no user interaction required), and public POC availability increases practical risk. However, compared to network-based vulnerabilities, the local-only requirement substantially limits opportunistic exploitation. The privilege escalation tag suggests potential for escalating from low-privilege local access to system-level data exfiltration. Risk priority should be HIGH for organizations running ZKBioSecurity with untrusted local users or exposed endpoints, but MEDIUM for well-isolated deployments.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An authenticated local user or an attacker with shell access to a server running ZKBioSecurity 3.0 crafts malicious file path requests containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., '../../../etc/passwd' or '..\..\..\windows\system32\config\sam') when interacting with the application's file retrieval API or configuration interface. The application fails to sanitize or validate the path parameter and directly accesses the requested file location, allowing the attacker to read configuration files (containing database credentials, API keys), application source code revealing additional vulnerabilities, or sensitive stored biometric data. Using the publicly available POC from Exploit-DB or PacketStorm Security, an attacker can automate extraction of multiple sensitive files for data exfiltration or further system compromise. In a privilege escalation scenario, this file disclosure could reveal system information enabling subsequent elevation of privileges.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 15, 2026

ZKTeco ZKBioSecurity 3.0 contains a local file path manipulation vulnerability (CWE-276) that allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass access controls and read arbitrary files including configuration files, source code, and application resources. A publicly available proof-of-concept exists, and the vulnerability has moderate real-world risk due to its local attack vector requirement but high confidentiality impact on sensitive biometric system data.

RemediationAI

Specific patch versions are not explicitly provided in available references. Recommended actions: (1) Contact ZKTeco directly for security patches or workarounds for ZKBioSecurity 3.0; (2) Implement operating system-level file access controls restricting application process permissions to only required directories; (3) Disable or restrict local access to affected ZKBioSecurity systems to only trusted administrators; (4) Monitor file access patterns for suspicious path traversal attempts; (5) Upgrade to a patched version if available from ZKTeco; (6) Review https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/zkteco-zkbiosecurity-file-path-manipulation-vulnerability and vendor security bulletins for patch availability and official remediation guidance.

Affected VersionsENISA

ZKTeco ZKBioSecurity 3.0.1.0_R_230

Affected Packages

euvd zkteco_zkbiosecurity no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability exploits improper file access control in ZKBioSecurity 3.0 (CPE: cpe:2.3:a:zkteco_inc.:zkteco_zkbiosecurity:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*), a biometric security management system. The root cause falls under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default File Permissions), indicating the application fails to properly restrict file path operations when retrieving local resources. Attackers manipulate path parameters (likely directory traversal or symbolic link attacks) to access files outside intended directories. The vulnerability specifically targets the file retrieval mechanism that loads local application resources, suggesting improper input validation on file path parameters without adequate canonicalization or sandboxing.

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.9 MEDIUM
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
None
Vulnerable system: Availability
None
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

3
CVSS changed
Apr 15, 2026 - 15:22 NVD
6.2 (MEDIUM) 6.9 (MEDIUM)
PoC Detected
Mar 16, 2026 - 14:53 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Mar 15, 2026 - 13:35 nvd
MEDIUM 6.2

DescriptionCVE.org

ZKTeco ZKBioSecurity 3.0 contains a file path manipulation vulnerability that allows attackers to access arbitrary files by modifying file paths used to retrieve local resources. Attackers can manipulate path parameters to bypass access controls and retrieve sensitive information including configuration files, source code, and protected application resources.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using ZKTeco ZKBioSecurity 3.0 should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2016-20029, a incorrect default permissions vulnerability rated CVSS 6.2. Attackers could gain access beyond their authorized level. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: manually tighten permissions on affected resources.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 94% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

54
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +34
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.

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