Local privilege escalation via argument-filter bypass
Published May 9, 2023 · Updated Jul 9, 2026
Command injection in CyberGhostVPN Windows Client before 8.3.10.10015 allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. ConnectToVpnServer concatenates the JSON ServerIp value into an OpenVPN command line, while inconsistent parsing of escaped quotes and an embedded null lets a blocked plugin argument reach OpenVPN and load an attacker-controlled DLL. Exploitation requires local access and bypassing the named-pipe origin check by spoofing the client process name or injecting code into Dashboard.exe.
Summary
What happened
Command injection in CyberGhostVPN Windows Client before 8.3.10.10015 allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. ConnectToVpnServer concatenates the JSON ServerIp value into an OpenVPN command line, while inconsistent parsing of escaped quotes and an embedded null lets a blocked plugin argument reach OpenVPN and load an attacker-controlled DLL. Exploitation requires local access and bypassing the named-pipe origin check by spoofing the client process name or injecting code into Dashboard.exe.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-30237
- Published
- May 9, 2023
- Updated
- Jul 9, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-427, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 9, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Pen Test Partners CyberGhost named-pipe payloadproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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