How severe is CVE-2026-72841?

CVE-2026-72841 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.9, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-72841 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-72841?

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-2026-72841 published?

CVE-2026-72841 was published on 2026-08-13 and last updated on 2026-08-18.

CVE-2026-72841

CVE-2026-72841 is a critical-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.9. 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-73.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.9)
CVSS v4: 9.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (36th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-73
Published: 2026-08-13
Last modified: 2026-08-18

Description

luci-app-openvpn fails to properly validate the instance_name2 parameter during file upload, allowing authenticated users to perform path traversal and write arbitrary files outside the intended directory. Attackers can upload malicious payloads to gain persistent root code execution by placing SSH keys in system directories accessible on reboot.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-72841?: luci-app-openvpn fails to properly validate the instance_name2 parameter during file upload, allowing authenticated users to perform path traversal and write arbitrary files outside the intended directory. Attackers can upload malicious payloads to gain persistent root code execution by placing SSH keys in system directories accessible on reboot.
How severe is CVE-2026-72841?: CVE-2026-72841 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.9, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-72841 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72841?: 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-2026-72841 published?: CVE-2026-72841 was published on 2026-08-13 and last updated on 2026-08-18.

References

Other CWE-73 vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-20358 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): As part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to proactive security and product quality, the Cisco Crosswork engineering team…
CVE-2026-50148 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Metabase is an open-source business intelligence and embedded analytics tool. From 1.54.0 until 1.54.24, 1.55.24,…
CVE-2025-71338 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Flowise contains a path traversal vulnerability in the /api/v1/document-store/loader/process endpoint that allows…
CVE-2026-39907 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unisys WebPerfect Image Suite versions 3.0.3960.22810 and 3.0.3960.22604 expose an unauthenticated WCF SOAP endpoint on…
CVE-2026-27211 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Cloud Hypervisor is a Virtual Machine Monitor for Cloud workloads. Versions 34.0 through 50.0 arevulnerable to…
CVE-2026-63343 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.3.0, a malicious image containing a…

Browse all CWE-73 vulnerabilities →