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.
History

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title NSClient++ 0.5.2.35 Local Privilege Escalation via ExternalScripts and Web Interface
Weaknesses CWE-269
CWE-312
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published: 2025-07-02T19:27:26.073Z

Updated: 2025-07-02T20:32:01.677Z

Reserved: 2025-04-15T19:15:22.550Z

Link: CVE-2025-34078

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2025-07-02T20:31:57.950Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2025-07-02T20:15:29.827

Modified: 2025-07-03T15:13:53.147

Link: CVE-2025-34078

cve-icon Redhat

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