Code execution via unsafe metadata deserialization
Published Aug 17, 2026 · Updated Aug 18, 2026
Unsafe deserialization in Progress ShareFile Storage Zones Controller 5.12.5 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via file metadata. The CICO service deserializes untrusted metadata from files on a network share without validating that the serialized object data is safe before reconstituting it on the controller host. Exploitation requires write access to the relevant network share, and successful exploitation runs code as the Storage Zones Controller service account on the host.
Summary
What happened
Unsafe deserialization in Progress ShareFile Storage Zones Controller 5.12.5 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via file metadata. The CICO service deserializes untrusted metadata from files on a network share without validating that the serialized object data is safe before reconstituting it on the controller host. Exploitation requires write access to the relevant network share, and successful exploitation runs code as the Storage Zones Controller service account on the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16138
- Published
- Aug 17, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 18, 2026
- Vendor
- Progress Software Corporation
- Product
- ShareFile Storage Zones Controller
- Classifications
- CWE-502
- Attack vector
- adjacent
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 17, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 18, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=5.12.5
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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