CVE-2026-41288 WatchGuard Agent on Windows Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
An authenticated local user can elevate privileges to SYSTEM due to incorrect permissions in the WatchGuard Agent patch management component.
- 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-2026-41288?
CVE-2026-41288 is a high-severity vulnerability in WatchGuard Agent, published on 6 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Incorrect permission assignment for a resource in the patch management component of the WatchGuard Agent on Windows allows an authenticated local user to elevate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM.
Weakness: CWE-732
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-41288?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Watchguard Agent.
How do I fix CVE-2026-41288?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-41288 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-41288 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-41288 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in WatchGuard Agent
- CVE-2026-6787 Usage of a hard-coded cryptographic key in WatchGuard Agent allows inclusion of code into existing process
- CVE-2026-6788 Uncontrolled search path in PluginLauncher allows SYSTEM code execution in WatchGuard Agent
- CVE-2026-41286 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in WatchGuard Agent Discovery Service on Windows Causes Denial of Service - Variant B
- CVE-2026-41287 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in WatchGuard Agent Discovery Service on Windows Causes Denial of Service - Variant A
Sources
Also known as GHSA-8cwf-5634-rgvv.