SYSTEM code execution via package-staging race
Published Dec 3, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Privilege escalation in HP Image Assistant before 5.3.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM during package installation. The SoftPaq update chain stages an executable in a location writable by low-privilege users, then a privileged process launches it without integrity validation. A local user must win the brief replacement window while automated package installation is active; successful replacement grants full SYSTEM control.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in HP Image Assistant before 5.3.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM during package installation. The SoftPaq update chain stages an executable in a location writable by low-privilege users, then a privileged process launches it without integrity validation. A local user must win the brief replacement window while automated package installation is active; successful replacement grants full SYSTEM control.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-13492
- Published
- Dec 3, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Plantronics
- Product
- HP Image Assistant
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 3, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <5.3.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
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
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo