CVE-2026-2036 is a critical vulnerability identified in GFI Archiver version 15.10, specifically within the MArc.Store.Remoting.exe process. The vulnerability stems from CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, where the application improperly validates and deserializes user-supplied input. This unsafe deserialization allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. Although the exploit requires authentication, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed, effectively enabling unauthenticated remote code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to run code with SYSTEM-level privileges, granting full control over the affected system. The CVSS v3.0 base score is 8.8, reflecting its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. The flaw resides in the configuration of the MArc.Store.Remoting.exe process, which handles remote communication and data exchange. No patches or mitigations have been officially released at the time of publication, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. This vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-27936 by the Zero Day Initiative before public disclosure.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical information, and disruption of service availability. Attackers gaining SYSTEM-level privileges can deploy malware, create persistent backdoors, or move laterally within the network. Organizations relying on GFI Archiver for email archiving and compliance risk severe operational and reputational damage. The ability to bypass authentication increases the threat level, making it easier for attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely without valid credentials. This could affect enterprise environments, especially those with internet-facing GFI Archiver instances or weak network segmentation. The impact extends to regulatory compliance failures if archived data integrity or confidentiality is breached.

Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting network access to the MArc.Store.Remoting.exe service by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations should monitor logs for unusual deserialization activity or authentication bypass attempts. Employ application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems capable of detecting malicious serialized payloads targeting this service. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or isolating the vulnerable component if feasible. Conduct thorough audits of authentication mechanisms and strengthen them to prevent bypass. Regularly update and apply security best practices for GFI Archiver deployments, including principle of least privilege for service accounts. Engage with GFI support for any available hotfixes or workarounds and plan for rapid patch deployment once available.