CVE-2026-16157 Duplicati backup software v2.3.0.1 is vulnerable to an incorrect permission assignment vulnerability
Local users can escalate privileges to SYSTEM by overwriting DLLs in the service directory if Duplicati is installed outside Program Files.
- 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-2026-16157?
CVE-2026-16157 is a high-severity vulnerability in Duplicati, published on 22 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Duplicati v2.3.0.1 backup software gives Authenticated Users MODIFY permissions that propagate to all subdirectories. Installing the software outside of the Program Files directory, or on a custom path, creates a LocalSystem service running from a directory that any standard local user can write to. A standard local user can overwrite any DLL in the service directory. On service restart, the OS loads the attacker's DLL before any managed code runs, executing arbitrary code as SYSTEM.
Weakness: CWE-732
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-16157?
How do I fix CVE-2026-16157?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-16157 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-16157 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-16157 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2g48-2hgv-5jpv.