// For flags

CVE-2025-34078

NSClient++ 0.5.2.35 Local Privilege Escalation via ExternalScripts and Web Interface

Severity Score

7.3
*CVSS v4

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

3
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in NSClient++ 0.5.2.35 when both the web interface and ExternalScripts features are enabled. The configuration file (nsclient.ini) stores the administrative password in plaintext and is readable by local users. By extracting this password, an attacker can authenticate to the NSClient++ web interface (typically accessible on port 8443) and abuse the ExternalScripts plugin to inject and execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM by registering a custom script, saving the configuration, and triggering it via the API. This behavior is documented but insecure, as the plaintext credential exposure undermines access isolation between local users and administrative functions.

*Credits: kindredsec, BZYO, Yann Castel
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
Present
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
System
Vulnerable | Subsequent
Confidentiality
High
None
Integrity
High
None
Availability
High
None
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Partial
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2025-04-15 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-07-02 CVE Published
  • 2025-07-02 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-02 First Exploit
  • 2025-07-08 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
CWE
  • CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
  • CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
CAPEC
  • CAPEC-115: Authentication Bypass
  • CAPEC-137: Parameter Injection
  • CAPEC-233: Privilege Escalation
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
NSClient++
Search vendor "NSClient++"
NSClient++
Search vendor "NSClient++" for product "NSClient++"
0.5.2.35
Search vendor "NSClient++" for product "NSClient++" and version "0.5.2.35"
en
Affected