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CVE-2026-40952

HIGH 8.5

Published 2026-07-15 · Last modified 2026-07-16

CVE-2026-40952 is a privilege misconfiguration in the Secure Access installer for the Windows client and server prior to version 14.55. Attackers with local access to the client or server can use it to elevate privileges to Administrator when Secure Access is installed in a non-default location.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 8.5), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.1%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 1st percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

8.5CVSS 4.0 · HIGH

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • Access: Requires local access to the host
  • Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
  • User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
  • Requirements: No special attack requirements

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-40952/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-40952/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Absolute Security Absolute Microsoft

Products Secure Access Windows

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions

CVSS vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:N/SA:N

Known Affected Software Configurations

VendorProductVersion range
AbsoluteSecure Access< 14.55

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 8.5 v4.0 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:N/SA:N
  • HIGH 8.5 v4.0 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · NVD Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS