CVE-2026-102096 in Kiteworks
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
Kiteworks Core before version 9.5.0 is vulnerable to OS Command Injection that allows an authenticated administrator to upload a configuration package whose contents were not sufficiently validated before being processed. A crafted package could cause the underlying system to execute arbitrary operating-system commands, potentially with elevated privileges, on the affected appliance.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified in Kiteworks Core versions prior to 9.5.0 represents a critical security flaw classified as an Operating System Command Injection. This specific weakness stems from insufficient input validation within the application's configuration package processing mechanism. When an authenticated administrator uploads a configuration package, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the contents before they are passed to underlying operating system commands for execution. This lack of rigorous checks allows malicious actors who have obtained administrative credentials to inject arbitrary shell commands into the configuration data stream. The flaw is particularly severe because it leverages legitimate administrative privileges, bypassing many standard perimeter defenses that rely on authentication status rather than behavioral analysis or deep content inspection.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. The attacker crafts a configuration package containing specially designed payloads that exploit the application's failure to distinguish between valid configuration parameters and executable code fragments. Once processed by the vulnerable component, these injected commands are executed directly by the operating system shell associated with the Kiteworks service account. Because the vulnerability is triggered through an administrative interface, the resulting command execution typically occurs under the context of the user running the application server process. In many enterprise deployments, this service account possesses elevated privileges necessary for managing files and services, thereby allowing the attacker to achieve code execution with significant system access rights rather than as a restricted guest or anonymous user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is profound, potentially leading to complete compromise of the affected appliance. An adversary exploiting this flaw can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, which may include reading sensitive data stored on the server, modifying application configurations to maintain persistence, installing backdoors, or pivoting to other systems within the internal network. The ability to run commands with elevated privileges exacerbates the risk, as it enables lateral movement and deeper infiltration of the organization's infrastructure. This scenario is consistent with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically where an attacker uses system utilities or scripting languages to execute malicious code after gaining initial access through compromised credentials.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation due to the high severity of this issue. The primary defense is to upgrade Kiteworks Core to version 9.5.0 or later, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the configuration package processing logic. Until an upgrade can be performed, organizations should enforce strict network segmentation to limit administrative access from untrusted networks and ensure that only trusted IP ranges can reach the administration interface. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for all administrator accounts reduces the likelihood of credential theft leading to exploitation. Security teams should also monitor system logs for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected changes in configuration files, as these may indicate an active attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Regular audits of administrative access and strict adherence to the principle of least privilege further reduce the attack surface associated with such high-privilege vulnerabilities.