ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows: Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
CVE-2026-8797 is a high-severity exposed IOCTL with insufficient access control vulnerability in ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows from NEC, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows versions: 3.24 and prior. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.15% 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
- Check which version of ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEC | ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows | 3.24 and prior | Not 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- 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:L/AC:L/AT:N/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 (cyber.jp.nec.com).
Official description
An access control deficiency vulnerability exists in ExpressUpdate Agent for Windows. If a malicious user gains access to the product, arbitrary code could be executed with SYSTEM privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control
The product implements an IOCTL with functionality that should be restricted, but it does not properly enforce access control for the IOCTL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- In Windows environments, use proper access control for the associated device or device namespace. See References.
More Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control vulnerabilities (CWE-782)
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
Recent Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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