SYSTEM privilege escalation via writable automation directory
Published Apr 15, 2026 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Privilege escalation in Barracuda RMM before 2025.2.2 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges through writable automation content. The C:\Windows\Automation ACL permits low-privileged users to replace existing task content or add files that routine automation executes as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. A local account with write access is required; successful placement yields arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM on the next automation cycle.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Barracuda RMM before 2025.2.2 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges through writable automation content. The C:\Windows\Automation ACL permits low-privileged users to replace existing task content or add files that routine automation executes as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. A local account with write access is required; successful placement yields arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM on the next automation cycle.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-22676
- Published
- Apr 15, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 15, 2026
- Vendor
- Barracuda Networks
- Product
- Barracuda RMM
- Classifications
- CWE-732, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 15, 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 <2025.2.2
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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