CVE-2025-34078 NSClient++ 0.5.2.35 Local Privilege Escalation via ExternalScripts and Web Interface
Local attackers can escalate privileges to SYSTEM by extracting plaintext admin credentials from the config file and abusing the ExternalScripts feature.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-34078?
CVE-2025-34078 is a high-severity vulnerability in NSClient++, published on 2 Jul 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in NSClient++ 0.5.2.35 when both the web interface and ExternalScripts features are enabled. The configuration file (nsclient.ini) stores the administrative password in plaintext and is readable by local users. By extracting this password, an attacker can authenticate to the NSClient++ web interface (typically accessible on port 8443) and abuse the ExternalScripts plugin to inject and execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM by registering a custom script, saving the configuration, and triggering it via the API.
This behavior is documented but insecure, as the plaintext credential exposure undermines access isolation between local users and administrative functions.
Weakness: CWE-522
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-34078?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Nsclient Nsclient\+\+.
How do I fix CVE-2025-34078?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-34078 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2025-34078 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-34078 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module.
Other vulnerabilities in NSClient++
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jr25-22p3-gm6r.