CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-40552NVD status: Modified

Web Help Desk: Weak Authentication

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-40552 is a critical-severity weak authentication vulnerability in Web Help Desk from SolarWinds, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Web Help Desk versions: 12.8.8 HF1 and below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 52% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.03% of all scored CVEs.

Patch now

Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Web Help Desk you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on solarwinds.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
SolarWindsWeb Help Desk12.8.8 HF1 and belowNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (solarwinds.com).

Official description

SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to an authentication bypass vulnerability that if exploited, would allow a malicious actor to execute actions and methods that should be protected by authentication.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Weak Authentication

The product uses an authentication mechanism to restrict access to specific users or identities, but the mechanism does not sufficiently prove that the claimed identity is correct.

More Weak Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-1390)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Web Help Desk

All Web Help Desk vulnerabilities

Recent Weak Authentication vulnerabilities

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