PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2016-20024 ZKTeco Inc. CVE debrief
CVE-2016-20024 is a critical vulnerability in ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6, allowing unprivileged users to escalate privileges by modifying executable files due to insecure file permissions. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.3 and is classified as CRITICAL.
- Vendor
- ZKTeco Inc.
- Product
- ZKTeco ZKTime.Net
- CVSS
- CRITICAL 9.3
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-03-16
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-06-08
- Advisory published
- 2026-03-16
- Advisory updated
- 2026-06-08
Who should care
Administrators and users of ZKTeco ZKTime.Net 3.0.1.6 should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate it.
Technical summary
The vulnerability is caused by world-writable permissions on the ZKTimeNet3.0 directory and its contents, allowing attackers to replace executable files with malicious binaries for privilege escalation.
Defensive priority
HIGH
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply patches or updates to fix the insecure file permissions vulnerability.
- Restrict write permissions to authorized users and groups.
- Monitor the system for suspicious activity.
Evidence notes
The vulnerability was reported by an unknown vendor and has been documented in various sources, including [ref-4], [ref-5], [ref-6], [ref-7], [ref-8], and [ref-9].
Official resources
CVE-2016-20024 was published on 2026-03-16T14:17:48.350Z and modified on 2026-06-08T16:16:31.033Z.