CVE-2026-81572

Local Privilege Escalation in CodeMeter Runtime on Windows

Published Aug 27, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In CodeMeter Runtime from version 8.40 to (excluding) 8.41a and 9.00 to (excluding) 9.10, cmu.exe --create-io --file C: creates a predictable temporary file under C:\CM-Stick. The directory and
file paths are not properly checked for NTFS reparse points, such as junctions or symbolic links, before file
operations are performed. A local attacker can create a junction at the temporary file that points to an arbitrary
system path. Because CodeMeter Runtime runs with System privileges, this could allow arbitrary files to be deleted
with System privileges and potentially enable local privilege escalation.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Wibusys
Wibusys codemeter Runtime Kit
Vendors & Products Wibusys
Wibusys codemeter Runtime Kit
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description cmu.exe --create-io --file C: creates a predictable temporary file under C:\CM-Stick. The directory and file paths are not properly checked for NTFS reparse points, such as junctions or symbolic links, before file operations are performed. A local attacker can create a junction at the temporary file that points to an arbitrary system path. Because CodeMeter Runtime runs with System privileges, this could allow arbitrary files to be deleted with System privileges and potentially enable local privilege escalation. In CodeMeter Runtime from version 8.40 to (excluding) 8.41a and 9.00 to (excluding) 9.10, cmu.exe --create-io --file C: creates a predictable temporary file under C:\CM-Stick. The directory and file paths are not properly checked for NTFS reparse points, such as junctions or symbolic links, before file operations are performed. A local attacker can create a junction at the temporary file that points to an arbitrary system path. Because CodeMeter Runtime runs with System privileges, this could allow arbitrary files to be deleted with System privileges and potentially enable local privilege escalation.
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description cmu.exe --create-io --file C: creates a predictable temporary file under C:\CM-Stick. The directory and file paths are not properly checked for NTFS reparse points, such as junctions or symbolic links, before file operations are performed. A local attacker can create a junction at the temporary file that points to an arbitrary system path. Because CodeMeter Runtime runs with System privileges, this could allow arbitrary files to be deleted with System privileges and potentially enable local privilege escalation.
Title Local Privilege Escalation in CodeMeter Runtime on Windows
First Time appeared Wibu-systems-ag
Wibu-systems-ag codemeter-runtime
Weaknesses CWE-59
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:wibu-systems-ag:codemeter-runtime:*:*:windows:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Wibu-systems-ag
Wibu-systems-ag codemeter-runtime
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
wibu
Published
Updated
Aug 28, 2026, 4:52 PM
Reserved
Aug 27, 2026, 7:01 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Aug 27, 2026, 10:16 AM
Modified
Sep 1, 2026, 8:56 PM