CVE-2025-11906 is a vulnerability identified in Progress Software's Flowmon product, specifically affecting versions prior to 12.5.6. The issue stems from incorrect permission assignments (CWE-732) on certain critical system configuration files. These misconfigurations allow a user who already has access to the default Flowmon system user account—commonly used for SSH access—to escalate their privileges to root during the service initialization phase. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have local access with elevated privileges (PR:H). The incorrect file permissions mean that the attacker can manipulate or replace configuration files that are loaded during service startup, thereby executing arbitrary code with root privileges. This can lead to a complete compromise of the affected system, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where the default system user account is accessible or poorly secured. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity, balancing the high impact of root escalation against the requirement for local privileged access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure permission management on critical system files and the need to restrict access to default system accounts.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11906 can be substantial, especially for those relying on Flowmon for network monitoring and security analytics. Successful exploitation results in root-level access, enabling attackers to manipulate monitoring data, disable security controls, or pivot to other critical systems. This can undermine incident detection capabilities and lead to prolonged undetected breaches. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers can access sensitive network data; integrity is compromised through potential tampering with system and monitoring configurations; availability may be affected if attackers disrupt Flowmon services or the underlying host. Organizations in sectors such as finance, energy, telecommunications, and government, which often deploy Flowmon for network visibility, face heightened risks. The requirement for local access with elevated privileges somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with inadequate user account management or insider threats. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation before exploitation becomes widespread.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11906, European organizations should immediately upgrade Flowmon installations to version 12.5.6 or later, where the permission issues are resolved. Until patching is complete, restrict access to the default Flowmon system user account by enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, disabling or renaming default accounts where possible, and applying the principle of least privilege. Conduct thorough audits of file permissions on Flowmon system configuration files to ensure they are not writable by non-privileged users. Implement strict SSH access controls, including IP whitelisting and multi-factor authentication, to limit exposure of the default system user. Monitor service initialization logs and system integrity to detect unauthorized changes to configuration files. Additionally, consider deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to alert on suspicious file modifications. Regularly review and update security policies related to privileged account management and system hardening to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Finally, maintain an incident response plan tailored to potential privilege escalation scenarios involving critical monitoring infrastructure.