CVE-2026-47868 in Avi Load Balancer
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2026
VMware Avi Load Balancer contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious user with local access may be able to escalate their privileges to run code as root.
Affected versions: 32.1.1 (fixed in 32.1.2) 31.1.1 through 31.2.2 (fixed in 31.2.2-2p3) 30.1.1 through 30.2.6 (fixed in 30.2.7) 22.1.1 through 22.1.7 (fixed in 30.2.7)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2026
The VMware Avi Load Balancer local privilege escalation vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated local users to elevate their privileges from standard user level to root access. This vulnerability exists within the software's privilege management mechanisms and specifically affects multiple major versions of the Avi Load Balancer platform. The flaw enables attackers who already have local system access to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible system privileges, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure managed by the load balancer.
This vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the Avi Load Balancer's core components that manage user sessions and system operations. When a local user accesses the system, the application fails to properly validate or restrict privilege escalation paths that should remain inaccessible to non-root users. The technical implementation appears to lack adequate checks on critical system functions that require root privileges, allowing malicious actors with local shell access to exploit specific code paths that bypass normal authorization controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for organizations relying on VMware Avi Load Balancer deployments. Once exploited, attackers gain complete control over the load balancer appliance, enabling them to manipulate traffic routing, access sensitive network information, modify security policies, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network perimeter. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where load balancers serve as critical infrastructure components managing SSL termination, application delivery, and traffic optimization services.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-276 which describes improper privilege management in software applications. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local system permissions to escalate privileges. Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for affected versions, with specific attention to versions 32.1.1 through 32.1.2, 31.1.1 through 31.2.2 with patch 31.2.2-2p3, 30.1.1 through 30.2.6 with patch 30.2.7, and 22.1.1 through 22.1.7 also requiring the 30.2.7 update. System administrators must conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additional mitigations include implementing strict local access controls, monitoring for unauthorized local login attempts, and ensuring that only necessary personnel have physical or console access to these critical infrastructure devices.