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
Attack Complexity
Attack Requirements
Privileges Required
User Interaction
System
Vulnerable | Subsequent
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Authentication
Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
- Decision:Track*
Exploitation
Automatable
Tech. Impact
* 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
References (4)
URL | Tag | Source |
---|---|---|
https://vulncheck.com/advisories/nsclient-localtoremote-system-compromise | Third Party Advisory |
URL | Date | SRC |
---|---|---|
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/windows/local/nscp_pe.rb | 2025-07-02 | |
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46802 | 2025-07-02 | |
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48360 | 2025-07-02 |
URL | Date | SRC |
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URL | Date | SRC |
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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
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