CVE-2025-43079 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) affecting the Qualys Cloud Agent version 5.0 on MacOS and Linux platforms. The issue arises from the uninstall script (qagent_uninstall.sh) bundled with the agent, which executes multiple system commands without specifying absolute paths and does not sanitize the $PATH environment variable. When this uninstall script is run with elevated privileges (e.g., via sudo), an attacker who already has root or sudo access can manipulate the $PATH environment variable to include directories containing malicious executables. Because the script calls system commands without absolute paths, it may inadvertently execute these malicious binaries instead of the intended system commands. This flaw can be exploited for local privilege escalation and arbitrary command execution under elevated privileges, potentially compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.3 (medium severity), reflecting the requirement for high privileges and user interaction, but also the significant impact if exploited. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability poses a risk in environments where the uninstall script is run with elevated privileges and the $PATH can be influenced by an attacker. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure scripting practices, such as using absolute paths and sanitizing environment variables in scripts executed with elevated privileges.

For European organizations, the vulnerability presents a risk primarily in environments where Qualys Agent version 5.0 is deployed on MacOS or Linux systems and where uninstall scripts might be executed with elevated privileges. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with existing root or sudo access to escalate privileges further or execute arbitrary commands with elevated rights, potentially leading to full system compromise. This could impact sensitive data confidentiality, system integrity, and availability of critical security monitoring infrastructure. Organizations relying on Qualys Agent for vulnerability management and compliance monitoring could face disruptions or data integrity issues if attackers leverage this flaw. The risk is heightened in environments with shared or multi-user systems where privilege boundaries are critical. Although exploitation requires prior elevated privileges and user interaction, the vulnerability could be leveraged in complex attack chains or insider threat scenarios. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but non-trivial risk that should be addressed promptly to maintain security posture.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Avoid running the Qualys Agent uninstall script with elevated privileges unless absolutely necessary and ensure it is executed in a controlled environment with a sanitized $PATH. 2) Manually inspect and modify the uninstall script to use absolute paths for all system commands, reducing the risk of executing malicious binaries. 3) Restrict write permissions to directories included in the $PATH environment variable for privileged users to prevent insertion of malicious executables. 4) Employ strict privilege management policies to limit the number of users with sudo or root access, minimizing the risk of $PATH manipulation. 5) Monitor and audit execution of uninstall scripts and related administrative commands to detect anomalous behavior. 6) Coordinate with Qualys for patches or updated agent versions that address this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Educate system administrators about secure scripting practices and the risks of environment variable manipulation in privileged contexts. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on script hardening, environment control, and privilege management specific to this vulnerability.