What it is
CVE-2012-0297 is an unauthenticated vulnerability affecting Symantec Web Gateway. The management GUI in Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.x before 5.0.3 does not properly restrict access to application scripts, which allows...
Vulnerability report
Exploited in the wild
High confidence
Not in CISA KEV
CVE-2012-0297
Web Gateway
Symantec / Web Gateway
- Severity
- CVSS 10.0 · High
- Confidence
- High
- Exploit status
- Exploited in the wild
- EPSS
- 72.6%
- First observed
- —
- Last observed
- —
Decision summary
What security teams need to know first
Direct answers before the deeper technical record.
Is it exploited?
Yes. KEV Intelligence tracks this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability. Confidence is high.
Who is affected?
Symantec / Web Gateway.
What should we do?
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
Overview
Web Gateway
The management GUI in Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.x before 5.0.3 does not properly restrict access to application scripts, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by (1) injecting crafted data or (2) including crafted data.
- Published
- 21 May 2012
- Exploitation Reported
- 21 May 2012
- Attack vector
- Remote
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges
- None
- User interaction
- —
CVE References
- CVE Record CVE.org · CVE Record https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2012-0297
- 53444 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53444
- symantec-web-file-include(75731) exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com · VDB Entry https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75731
- symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp symantec.com · CVE Record http://www.symantec.com/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?...
Exploitation evidence
Why KEV Intelligence marks this CVE as exploited
Third-party attestation and first-party sensor observation are shown separately so teams can judge the evidence chain.
Exploited in the wild
The Shadowserver
Independent exploitation attestation added to the KEV Intelligence record.
Proof of concept available
Public scanner or PoC coverage increases practical exploitability.
Known exploited vulnerability sources
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEV Intelligence Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| The Shadowserver First | 2012-05-21 20:00 UTC |
Detection
Operational artifacts and observed signals
Make the evidence actionable in scanner, SOC, and edge-control workflows.
Observed signals
- Request targets
- 0
- User-Agents
- 0
Raw values available in Pro and Enterprise.
Scanner coverage
Metasploit template detected 29 Apr 2025.
View Metasploit template (opens in new tab)Virtual patch status
No KEV Intelligence virtual patch is currently available. Future rules ship for ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF.
Learn about virtual patches →Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/symantec_web_gateway_lfi.rb | 29 Apr 2025 |
Risk and context
Severity, weaknesses, and research context
CVSS v2.0
10.0
High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS
72.6%
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
Timeline
From disclosure to observed exploitation
-
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
Added to KEV Intelligence KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Pro API
Automate this intelligence
Confidence, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
- Evidence confidence and provenance
- First-party sensor telemetry
- PoC and scanner references
- Affected versions and enrichment
- Automation-ready JSON delivery
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2012-0297
Free JSON includes basic KEV fields{
"cve_id": "CVE-2012-0297",
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 10.0,
"cvss_estimated": false,
"epss_score": 0.72596,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "attempts": 0, "sensors": 0 }
}Early warning alerts
Get alerts on high-impact exploitation
Receive curator-selected alerts when exploitation activity warrants attention. Each alert includes the evidence and context needed to decide what requires attention now.