How severe is CVE-2026-15265?

CVE-2026-15265 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-15265 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-15265?

CVE-2026-15265 primarily affects Tenable Nessus Agent. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-15265?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2026-15265 published?

CVE-2026-15265 was published on 2026-07-14 and last updated on 2026-08-25.

CVE-2026-15265

CVE-2026-15265 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Tenable Nessus Agent with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.1)
CVSS v4: 9.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (45th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Tenable Nessus Agent
Published: 2026-07-14
Last modified: 2026-08-25

Description

A path traversal vulnerability in Tenable Agent 11.2.0 and 11.1.3 and lower allows a privileged attacker to write arbitrary files outside the intended plugin directory, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-15265?: A path traversal vulnerability in Tenable Agent 11.2.0 and 11.1.3 and lower allows a privileged attacker to write arbitrary files outside the intended plugin directory, potentially leading to remote code execution.
How severe is CVE-2026-15265?: CVE-2026-15265 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-15265 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-15265?: CVE-2026-15265 primarily affects Tenable Nessus Agent. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-15265?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-15265 published?: CVE-2026-15265 was published on 2026-07-14 and last updated on 2026-08-25.

References

https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2026-18

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:tenable:nessus_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:tenable:nessus_agent:11.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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