# What is CVE-2015-9266?

> CVE-2015-9266 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) in Af5 from UI, published on 5 September 2018. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 74%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2015-9266

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 70 out of 100 (High); action: Patch now. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Critical (CVSS 9.8 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 74% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 5 September 2018
- **Record last updated:** 12 August 2021
- **Main product:** Af5 from UI
- **Affected products:** 23

## What is CVE-2015-9266? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### The official description

The web management interface of Ubiquiti airMAX, airFiber, airGateway and EdgeSwitch XP (formerly TOUGHSwitch) allows an unauthenticated attacker to upload and write arbitrary files using directory traversal techniques. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain root privileges. This vulnerability is fixed in the following product versions (fixes released in July 2015, all prior versions are affected): airMAX AC 7.1.3; airMAX M (and airRouter) 5.6.2 XM/XW/TI, 5.5.11 XM/TI, and 5.5.10u2 XW; airGateway 1.1.5; airFiber AF24/AF24HD 2.2.1, AF5x 3.0.2.1, and AF5 2.2.1; airOS 4 XS2/XS5 4.0.4; and EdgeSwitch XP (formerly TOUGHSwitch) 1.3.2.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2015-9266 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 74%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 74%, 74%, 74%, 74%, 74%, 74%, 74%.

### Timeline

- 5 September 2018: Published
- 12 August 2021: Record last updated
- 9 October 2025: Exploit likelihood jumped

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2015-9266 scores **70 out of 100 (High)**, with the action "Patch now".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2015-9266?

The published record lists 23 products. Versions are as published: "before 2.2.1" means every version up to, but not including, 2.2.1.

- [Af5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/af5) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Af5 Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/af5_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 2.2.1
- [Af5x](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/af5x) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Af5x Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/af5x_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 3.0.2.1
- [Airfiber Af24](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airfiber_af24) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airfiber Af24 Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airfiber_af24_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 2.2.1
- [Airfiber Af24hd](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airfiber_af24hd) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airfiber Af24hd Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airfiber_af24hd_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 2.2.1
- [Airgateway](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airgateway) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airgateway Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airgateway_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 1.15
- [Airmax Ac](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_ac) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airmax Ac Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_ac_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): 7.1.3
- [Airmax M](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airmax M Ti](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_ti) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airmax M Ti Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_ti_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 5.6.2
- [Airmax M Xm](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_xm) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airmax M Xm Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_xm_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 5.6.2
- [Airmax M Xw](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_xw) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Airmax M Xw Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/airmax_m_xw_firmware) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Operating system): before 5.6.2
- [Airos 4 Xs2](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ubnt/airos_4_xs2) by [Ubnt](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ubnt) (Operating system): before 4.0.4
- [Airos 4 Xs5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ubnt/airos_4_xs5) by [Ubnt](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ubnt) (Operating system): before 4.0.4
- [Edgeswitch Xp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ui/edgeswitch_xp) by [UI](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ui) (Hardware): version not specified
- [Edgeswitch Xp Firmware](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/ubnt/edgeswitch_xp_firmware) by [Ubnt](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/ubnt) (Operating system): before 1.3.2

## How do I fix CVE-2015-9266?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [community.ubnt.com](https://community.ubnt.com/t5/airMAX-Updates-Blog/Security-Release-for-airMAX-TOUGHSwitch-and-airGateway-Released/ba-p/1300494) (Patch, Vendor advisory)
- [community.ubnt.com](https://community.ubnt.com/t5/airMAX-General-Discussion/Virus-attack-URGENT-UBNT/td-p/1562940) (Vendor advisory)
- [community.ubnt.com](https://community.ubnt.com/t5/airMAX-Updates-Blog/Important-Security-Notice-and-airOS-5-6-5-Release/ba-p/1565949) (Vendor advisory)
- [hackerone.com](https://hackerone.com/reports/73480) (Issue tracking, Third-party advisory)
- [exploit-db.com](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39701/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [exploit-db.com](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39853/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [rapid7.com](https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/linux/ssh/ubiquiti_airos_file_upload) (Exploit, Third-party advisory)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2015-9266?

CVE-2015-9266 is a critical-severity flaw in Af5 from UI, published on 5 September 2018. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2015-9266?

It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2015-9266 is 70 out of 100, which is High. Its action is "Patch now". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.

### Is CVE-2015-9266 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 74%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2015-9266 affect?

For Af5 from UI: version not specified. The record lists 23 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2015-9266?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2015-9266 affect you?

Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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