CVE-2026-16157

SYSTEM code execution via writable service directory

Published Jul 22, 2026 · Updated Jul 22, 2026

Incorrect permissions in Duplicati 2.3.0.1 allow local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM through a writable custom install. The Windows MSI leaves Authenticated Users with inherited Modify rights on non-default installation directories, letting a standard user replace a DLL loaded by the LocalSystem service. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access, a non-default writable installation path, and a service restart; successful abuse grants full SYSTEM execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect permissions in Duplicati 2.3.0.1 allow local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM through a writable custom install. The Windows MSI leaves Authenticated Users with inherited Modify rights on non-default installation directories, letting a standard user replace a DLL loaded by the LocalSystem service. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access, a non-default writable installation path, and a service restart; successful abuse grants full SYSTEM execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16157
Published
Jul 22, 2026
Updated
Jul 22, 2026
Vendor
Duplicati Inc.
Product
Duplicati
Classifications
CWE-732, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 22, 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?

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  1. Affected versionversion=2.3.0.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Duplicati Inc. · Duplicativersion=2.3.0.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-732Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
T1574.001Hijack Execution Flow: DLL

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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