CVE-2026-104018 in VxWorks
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
An improper privilege management vulnerability (CWE-269) exists in the command shell of Wind River VxWorks 7 all versions up to 26.09. when configured to enforce per-user command privileges. Under certain shell operations, a command may be evaluated without the privilege check that is normally applied, allowing an authenticated user with limited privileges to execute commands they are not authorized to run. Successful exploitation can result in privilege escalation, with impact to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device. Fixed in 26.09
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CWE-269 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the command shell environment of Wind River VxWorks versions prior to 26.09. This operating system is widely deployed in embedded systems and real-time applications where strict security boundaries are essential for operational integrity. The specific flaw arises from an improper privilege management logic that fails to consistently enforce per-user command privileges during certain shell operations. While the system is configured to restrict users based on their assigned roles, there exists a code path or execution context where this validation step is bypassed entirely. This architectural weakness allows an authenticated user who possesses only limited, non-privileged access rights to execute commands that are explicitly reserved for administrators or higher-level accounts. The root cause lies in the inconsistent application of security checks within the shell interpreter, creating a gap between the intended policy and the actual enforcement mechanism during specific command processing sequences.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation by allowing low-privileged users to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. When an attacker exploits this flaw, they can execute administrative commands such as modifying system configurations, installing software packages, or accessing restricted files without triggering the expected authentication or authorization failures. This bypass of security controls directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device. The compromise of confidentiality occurs because elevated users may access sensitive data stored on the system that was previously protected by file permissions and user restrictions. Integrity is compromised as attackers can alter critical system files, change configuration settings, or install malicious code under the guise of legitimate administrative actions. Availability is threatened if the attacker uses these escalated privileges to disrupt services, crash processes, or otherwise degrade the performance and reliability of the embedded device, which may be part of a larger industrial control network or IoT infrastructure.
In terms of industry standards mapping, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, specifically illustrating scenarios where access controls are not consistently applied across all execution paths. It also relates to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command-line interface abuse, such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter or T1078 Valid Accounts if the initial authentication is obtained through other means. The exploitation of this flaw allows an adversary to move laterally within a network by leveraging compromised embedded devices with higher-level access than originally intended. This capability significantly lowers the barrier for attackers who might otherwise be restricted by standard user permissions, thereby increasing the risk of broader system compromise in environments where VxWorks is deployed.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve upgrading to Wind River VxWorks version 26.09 or later, which addresses this specific logic error and ensures that privilege checks are consistently enforced during all shell operations. For organizations unable to immediately patch their systems due to operational constraints, implementing strict network segmentation can help isolate vulnerable devices from critical infrastructure components. Additionally, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns by low-privileged users may provide early detection of exploitation attempts. It is also advisable to review and harden the configuration of per-user privileges to ensure that even if a bypass occurs, the potential impact is minimized through principle of least privilege enforcement at other layers of the system architecture. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on embedded shell interfaces can further help identify similar implementation flaws before they are exploited in production environments.