CVE-2026-25769 in Wazuh
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2026
Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. Versions 4.0.0 through 4.14.2 have a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability due to Deserialization of Untrusted Data). All Wazuh deployments using cluster mode (master/worker architecture) and any organization with a compromised worker node (e.g., through initial access, insider threat, or supply chain attack) are impacted. An attacker who gains access to a worker node (through any means) can achieve full RCE on the master node with root privileges. Version 4.14.3 fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2026-25769 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Wazuh security platform affecting versions 4.0.0 through 4.14.2. This issue stems from deserialization of untrusted data within the cluster communication mechanism, specifically exploiting the master/worker node architecture that Wazuh employs for distributed threat detection and response operations. The vulnerability exists because the system fails to properly validate and sanitize data received from worker nodes during cluster communication, creating a pathway for malicious payloads to be executed with elevated privileges on the master node.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a deserialization attack vector where an attacker with access to any worker node in the cluster can craft malicious serialized data that, when processed by the master node, results in arbitrary code execution. This flaw leverages the trust relationship between master and worker nodes, where the master node inherently trusts data received from legitimate worker nodes without adequate validation. The attack chain begins with initial compromise of any worker node through various attack vectors including initial access, insider threats, or supply chain compromises, then escalates to full control of the master node with root privileges. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the distributed Wazuh architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is catastrophic for organizations relying on Wazuh for security operations, as it effectively eliminates the security boundary between worker and master nodes in a cluster configuration. Organizations utilizing Wazuh in cluster mode face complete system compromise when any worker node is breached, regardless of the initial attack vector used to gain access. The vulnerability affects all Wazuh deployments using the master/worker architecture, making it particularly dangerous for large enterprise environments where multiple worker nodes are distributed across different security zones or networks. This flaw can result in complete data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2026-25769 requires immediate deployment of Wazuh version 4.14.3 which includes the necessary patches to address the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation between master and worker nodes to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, though this does not provide complete protection since the vulnerability can be exploited through any worker node access. Additional defensive measures include monitoring cluster communication for suspicious deserialization patterns, implementing strict access controls and network restrictions for worker nodes, and conducting thorough security assessments of all nodes within the Wazuh cluster. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation and persistence techniques.
Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as runtime application protection, network traffic analysis, and regular security audits of their Wazuh deployments to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and secure deserialization practices in distributed security platforms where trust relationships between components can be exploited by attackers. Given the severity and widespread impact of this vulnerability across multiple Wazuh versions, immediate remediation is essential to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors targeting security monitoring and detection systems.