CWE-250
AllowedExecution with Unnecessary Privileges
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.
585 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-XH76-QHVP-PRH8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-09 18:31 – Updated: 2026-07-09 18:31[This CNA information record relates to multiple CVEs; the text explains which aspects/vulnerabilities correspond to which CVE.] XAPI can configure different users with different roles, using Role Based Access Control. For more details, see:
https://docs.xenserver.com/en-us/xencenter/current-release/rbac-overview.html#rbac-roles
The pool-admin role is fully privileged. Notably, users with this role can also SSH into the host as root.
The other administrator roles are pool-operator, vm-power-admin and vm-admin, each of which are authorised to configure and manage various aspects of the system.
Some settings are inadequately restricted, and can be set by a lower privilege of administrator than expected.
-
CVE-2026-23559: A vm-admin can set VBD.other_config:backend-local and turn arbitrary files in dom0 into VDIs (virtual disks) and give said disks to a VM they control. This is an arbitrary read and/or modify of files in dom0.
-
CVE-2026-23560: A vm-admin can set VM.other-config:is_system_domain and mark a VM as a system domain. System domains are ignored and left running during certain other host/pool operations, and may be hidden from view in tooling.
-
CVE-2026-23561: A vm-admin can set VM.other_config:storage_driver_domain and mark a VM as the storage domain for a particular host storage connection (PBD). Shutting down the VM can cause the PBD to be erroneously marked as unplugged when it is not.
-
CVE-2026-23562: Configuration of PCI passthrough is normally restricted to the pool-admin role. However one API was missing this check, allowing a vm-admin access to unintended host hardware.
-
CVE-2026-42486: A vm-admin can set the VM.platform:hvm_serial parameter, which should be restricted to the pool-admin role, as it can allow arbitrary dom0 file write.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-23562"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-250"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-09T16:16:39Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "[This CNA information record relates to multiple CVEs; the text explains which aspects/vulnerabilities correspond to which CVE.]\nXAPI can configure different users with different roles, using Role\nBased Access Control. For more details, see:\n\n https://docs.xenserver.com/en-us/xencenter/current-release/rbac-overview.html#rbac-roles\n\nThe pool-admin role is fully privileged. Notably, users with this role\ncan also SSH into the host as root.\n\nThe other administrator roles are pool-operator, vm-power-admin and\nvm-admin, each of which are authorised to configure and manage various\naspects of the system.\n\nSome settings are inadequately restricted, and can be set by a lower\nprivilege of administrator than expected.\n\n * CVE-2026-23559: A vm-admin can set VBD.other_config:backend-local and\n turn arbitrary files in dom0 into VDIs (virtual disks) and give said\n disks to a VM they control. This is an arbitrary read and/or modify\n of files in dom0.\n\n * CVE-2026-23560: A vm-admin can set VM.other-config:is_system_domain\n and mark a VM as a system domain. System domains are ignored and\n left running during certain other host/pool operations, and may be\n hidden from view in tooling.\n\n * CVE-2026-23561: A vm-admin can set VM.other_config:storage_driver_domain\n and mark a VM as the storage domain for a particular host storage\n connection (PBD). Shutting down the VM can cause the PBD to be\n erroneously marked as unplugged when it is not.\n\n * CVE-2026-23562: Configuration of PCI passthrough is normally\n restricted to the pool-admin role. However one API was missing this\n check, allowing a vm-admin access to unintended host hardware.\n\n * CVE-2026-42486: A vm-admin can set the VM.platform:hvm_serial\n parameter, which should be restricted to the pool-admin role, as it\n can allow arbitrary dom0 file write.",
"id": "GHSA-xh76-qhvp-prh8",
"modified": "2026-07-09T18:31:51Z",
"published": "2026-07-09T18:31:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23562"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-489.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-XH8Q-JH7V-55G2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-26 15:30 – Updated: 2025-05-26 15:30A vulnerability has been found in Wing FTP Server up to 7.4.3 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Lua Admin Console. The manipulation leads to execution with unnecessary privileges. The attack can be launched remotely. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation appears to be difficult. Upgrading to version 7.4.4 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The vendor explains: "[W]e do not consider it as a security vulnerability, because the system admin in WingFTP has full permissions [...], but you can suggest the user run WingFTP service as Normal User rather than SYSTEM/Root, it will be safer."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-5196"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-250"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-26T14:15:20Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability has been found in Wing FTP Server up to 7.4.3 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Lua Admin Console. The manipulation leads to execution with unnecessary privileges. The attack can be launched remotely. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation appears to be difficult. Upgrading to version 7.4.4 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The vendor explains: \"[W]e do not consider it as a security vulnerability, because the system admin in WingFTP has full permissions [...], but you can suggest the user run WingFTP service as Normal User rather than SYSTEM/Root, it will be safer.\"",
"id": "GHSA-xh8q-jh7v-55g2",
"modified": "2025-05-26T15:30:34Z",
"published": "2025-05-26T15:30:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-5196"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Nouvexr/Wing-FTP-Server-7.4.4-RCE-Authenticated/blob/main/poc.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.310279"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.310279"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.584253"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wftpserver.com/serverhistory.htm"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-XQW8-9F8F-59WQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-17 00:30 – Updated: 2024-01-25 18:30A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent, Virtual Appliance installation type, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation by the operating system CLI. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by issuing certain commands using sudo. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view arbitrary files as root on the underlying operating system. The attacker must have valid credentials on the affected device.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-20217"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-250"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-16T22:15:11Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent, Virtual Appliance installation type, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device.\n\n This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation by the operating system CLI. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by issuing certain commands using sudo. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view arbitrary files as root on the underlying operating system. The attacker must have valid credentials on the affected device.",
"id": "GHSA-xqw8-9f8f-59wq",
"modified": "2024-01-25T18:30:38Z",
"published": "2023-08-17T00:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20217"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-te-va-priv-esc-PUdgrx8E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174232/Cisco-ThousandEyes-Enterprise-Agent-Virtual-Appliance-Arbitrary-File-Read.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Aug/19"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XQWV-WJ6G-M73M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-17 06:31 – Updated: 2025-10-17 06:31An Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability has been identified in Moxa’s network security appliances and routers. A critical authorization flaw in the API allows an authenticated, low-privileged user to create a new administrator account, including accounts with usernames identical to existing users. In certain scenarios, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain full administrative control over the affected device, leading to potential account impersonation. While successful exploitation can severely impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device itself, there is no loss of confidentiality or integrity within any subsequent systems.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-6949"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-250"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-17T04:16:12Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability has been identified in Moxa\u2019s network security appliances and routers. A critical authorization flaw in the API allows an authenticated, low-privileged user to create a new administrator account, including accounts with usernames identical to existing users. In certain scenarios, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain full administrative control over the affected device, leading to potential account impersonation. While successful exploitation can severely impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device itself, there is no loss of confidentiality or integrity within any subsequent systems.",
"id": "GHSA-xqwv-wj6g-m73m",
"modified": "2025-10-17T06:31:10Z",
"published": "2025-10-17T06:31:10Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-6949"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.moxa.com/en/support/product-support/security-advisory/mpsa-258121-cve-2025-6892,-cve-2025-6893,-cve-2025-6894,-cve-2025-6949,-cve-2025-6950-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-netwo"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-XR28-HRCF-5JW6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-23 09:30 – Updated: 2024-09-23 09:30Local active protection service settings manipulation due to unnecessary privileges assignment. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Agent (Windows, macOS) before build 38565.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-8903"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-250"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-23T09:15:03Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Local active protection service settings manipulation due to unnecessary privileges assignment. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Agent (Windows, macOS) before build 38565.",
"id": "GHSA-xr28-hrcf-5jw6",
"modified": "2024-09-23T09:30:47Z",
"published": "2024-09-23T09:30:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-8903"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-advisory.acronis.com/advisories/SEC-7510"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation MIT-17
Strategy: Environment Hardening
Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
Mitigation MIT-18
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
Identify the functionality that requires additional privileges, such as access to privileged operating system resources. Wrap and centralize this functionality if possible, and isolate the privileged code as much as possible from other code [REF-76]. Raise privileges as late as possible, and drop them as soon as possible to avoid CWE-271. Avoid weaknesses such as CWE-288 and CWE-420 by protecting all possible communication channels that could interact with the privileged code, such as a secondary socket that is only intended to be accessed by administrators.
Mitigation MIT-18
Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction
Identify the functionality that requires additional privileges, such as access to privileged operating system resources. Wrap and centralize this functionality if possible, and isolate the privileged code as much as possible from other code [REF-76]. Raise privileges as late as possible, and drop them as soon as possible to avoid CWE-271. Avoid weaknesses such as CWE-288 and CWE-420 by protecting all possible communication channels that could interact with the privileged code, such as a secondary socket that is only intended to be accessed by administrators.
Mitigation
Perform extensive input validation for any privileged code that must be exposed to the user and reject anything that does not fit your strict requirements.
Mitigation MIT-19
When dropping privileges, ensure that they have been dropped successfully to avoid CWE-273. As protection mechanisms in the environment get stronger, privilege-dropping calls may fail even if it seems like they would always succeed.
Mitigation
If circumstances force you to run with extra privileges, then determine the minimum access level necessary. First identify the different permissions that the software and its users will need to perform their actions, such as file read and write permissions, network socket permissions, and so forth. Then explicitly allow those actions while denying all else [REF-76]. Perform extensive input validation and canonicalization to minimize the chances of introducing a separate vulnerability. This mitigation is much more prone to error than dropping the privileges in the first place.
Mitigation MIT-37
Strategy: Environment Hardening
Ensure that the software runs properly under the United States Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) [REF-199] or an equivalent hardening configuration guide, which many organizations use to limit the attack surface and potential risk of deployed software.
CAPEC-104: Cross Zone Scripting
An attacker is able to cause a victim to load content into their web-browser that bypasses security zone controls and gain access to increased privileges to execute scripting code or other web objects such as unsigned ActiveX controls or applets. This is a privilege elevation attack targeted at zone-based web-browser security.
CAPEC-470: Expanding Control over the Operating System from the Database
An attacker is able to leverage access gained to the database to read / write data to the file system, compromise the operating system, create a tunnel for accessing the host machine, and use this access to potentially attack other machines on the same network as the database machine. Traditionally SQL injections attacks are viewed as a way to gain unauthorized read access to the data stored in the database, modify the data in the database, delete the data, etc. However, almost every data base management system (DBMS) system includes facilities that if compromised allow an attacker complete access to the file system, operating system, and full access to the host running the database. The attacker can then use this privileged access to launch subsequent attacks. These facilities include dropping into a command shell, creating user defined functions that can call system level libraries present on the host machine, stored procedures, etc.
CAPEC-69: Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The adversary tries to leverage a vulnerability in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges.