CVE-2025-32976 identifies a critical logic flaw in the two-factor authentication (2FA) mechanism of Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) versions 13.0.x before 13.0.385, 13.1.x before 13.1.81, 13.2.x before 13.2.183, 14.0.x before 14.0.341 (Patch 5), and 14.1.x before 14.1.101 (Patch 4). The vulnerability resides in the validation process of Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) 2FA, which is designed to add an additional security layer beyond username and password. Due to a logic error, authenticated users—those who have already passed primary authentication—can bypass the TOTP verification step entirely. This bypass allows them to elevate their privileges within the appliance, potentially gaining administrative or otherwise unauthorized access. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the vulnerability’s high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector that is network-based and requires only low complexity and privileges but no user interaction. The CWE-288 classification indicates an authentication bypass weakness. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because KACE SMA is widely used for endpoint management, patching, and asset inventory, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise IT infrastructure. The flaw undermines the trust in 2FA security controls, which are critical for protecting privileged access in enterprise environments.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is substantial. KACE SMA is commonly deployed in medium to large enterprises for centralized systems management, including patch management, software distribution, and hardware inventory. An attacker exploiting this flaw could bypass 2FA protections, escalate privileges, and gain administrative control over the appliance. This could lead to unauthorized changes in endpoint configurations, deployment of malicious software, data exfiltration, or disruption of IT operations. Given the appliance’s role in managing critical infrastructure, such a compromise could cascade into broader network breaches, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of enterprise systems. Organizations in sectors with stringent regulatory requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, face increased compliance risks and potential legal consequences if this vulnerability is exploited. The lack of user interaction and low attack complexity further increase the likelihood of exploitation, emphasizing the need for urgent remediation in European enterprises relying on this technology.

To mitigate CVE-2025-32976, European organizations should immediately identify all instances of Quest KACE SMA in their environment and verify the version in use. Applying the vendor-released patches for versions 13.0.385, 13.1.81, 13.2.183, 14.0.341 (Patch 5), and 14.1.101 (Patch 4) or later is critical to close the 2FA bypass vulnerability. Until patches are applied, organizations should enforce strict network segmentation and access controls to limit access to the KACE SMA appliance only to trusted administrators and management networks. Implementing additional monitoring and alerting for unusual authentication or privilege escalation activities on the appliance can help detect exploitation attempts early. Reviewing and tightening user permissions to follow the principle of least privilege reduces the risk of an attacker leveraging compromised accounts. Where possible, integrating KACE SMA authentication with external identity providers that support stronger multi-factor authentication methods may provide an additional security layer. Finally, conducting regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on authentication mechanisms will help identify similar weaknesses proactively.