HP Easy Start for macOS: Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions
CVE-2026-12555 is a high-severity creation of temporary file in directory with insecure permissions vulnerability in HP Easy Start for macOS from HP, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.16.7.260722 as the first without the flaw, so updating HP Easy Start for macOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update HP Easy Start for macOS to 2.16.7.260722 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | HP Easy Start for macOS | before 2.16.7.260722 | 2.16.7.260722 |
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.
- Attack requirements
- PresentThe target must be in a specific state or configuration for the attack to work.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (hp.com).
Official description
Potential security vulnerabilities have been identified in HP Easy Start for macOS, versions prior to 2.16.7.260722. These potential vulnerabilities may lead to escalation of privilege. HP is releasing updates to mitigate these potential vulnerabilities.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions
The product creates a temporary file in a directory whose permissions allow unintended actors to determine the file's existence or otherwise access that file.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Many contemporary languages have functions which properly handle this condition. Older C temp file functions are especially susceptible.
- Try to store sensitive tempfiles in a directory which is not world readable -- i.e., per-user directories.
- Avoid using vulnerable temp file functions.
More Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-379)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in HP Easy Start for macOS
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
Recent Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Insecure Permissions vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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