CVE-2026-6958: Uncontrolled Search Path Element in Invicti Security Corp. Acunetix
Description
Acunetix 25.11.251107123 for Windows contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Web Vulnerability Scanning Engine (wvsc.exe) that allows low-privileged local attackers to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM by exploiting a missing hardcoded directory path for OpenSSL-related files. Attackers can create the missing directory, place a malicious file at the expected path, and cause the SYSTEM-level wvsc.exe process to load and execute it, resulting in full privilege escalation.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.5high
Affected software
Invicti Security Corp.
Acunetix
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-6958 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Acunetix 25.11.251107123 for Windows. The vulnerability exists because the Web Vulnerability Scanning Engine (wvsc.exe) expects OpenSSL-related files in a hardcoded directory path that does not exist by default. An attacker with low local privileges can create this missing directory and place a malicious file there. When wvsc.exe runs with SYSTEM privileges, it loads and executes the attacker's file, allowing arbitrary code execution at SYSTEM level.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a low-privileged local attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level on the affected Windows system. This results in full control over the system, enabling execution of arbitrary code with the highest privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict local user access to the affected system and monitor for unauthorized directory creation or file placement in the expected OpenSSL path. Avoid running the vulnerable version in untrusted environments.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-24T13:30:34.067Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a9ae250acd9273b49c9585b
Added to database: 09/04/2026, 15:22:56 UTC
Last enriched: 10/02/2026, 15:51:16 UTC
Last updated: 10/19/2026, 06:48:19 UTC
Views: 105
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