CVE-2026-44095 in CHARX SEC-3150
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
A privilege escalation vulnerability in a script used for network configuration allows a low-privileged local user to execute arbitrary commands as root, resulting in full system compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This privilege escalation vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables low-privileged local users to gain administrative control over affected systems through compromised network configuration scripts. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within automated network setup utilities that are designed to operate with elevated permissions but fail to properly validate or sanitize user inputs before executing system commands. Such scripts typically require root privileges to modify network interfaces, configure firewall rules, or adjust system-level networking parameters, creating a potential attack surface where malicious input can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with full administrative rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common privilege escalation patterns found in CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management and CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Command Injection. The flaw occurs when the script processes user-provided parameters without adequate input validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with root privileges. This typically manifests through command-line argument manipulation, environment variable injection, or configuration file tampering that bypasses normal access controls and privilege boundaries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific inputs that cause the script to execute unintended system commands, effectively breaking out of restricted execution environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems including the ability to modify or delete critical files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and establish covert communication channels. Systems compromised through this vulnerability become potential launch points for lateral movement within networks, enabling attackers to pivot to other connected systems and expand their foothold. The risk is particularly severe in environments where network configuration scripts are frequently executed with elevated privileges or where automated deployment processes rely on such utilities. This weakness can also facilitate compliance violations and data breach scenarios as the compromised systems may contain confidential information or serve as critical infrastructure components.
Effective mitigation strategies must address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural issues that enable privilege escalation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization mechanisms within all scripts that execute with elevated privileges, following principle of least privilege guidelines from NIST SP 800-53. The solution involves removing or restricting the execution of potentially dangerous command sequences, implementing proper user permission controls, and ensuring that configuration scripts only operate with the minimal required privileges. Additionally, regular security auditing of system utilities, implementation of file integrity monitoring, and deployment of automated vulnerability scanning tools can help identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they are exploited. System hardening practices such as disabling unnecessary network configuration scripts, implementing mandatory access controls, and establishing robust logging mechanisms for all privileged operations provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.