Summary
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CVE ID | CVE-2025-40538 |
| Alert Source | NVD - New Critical Vulnerability |
| CVE Publication Year | 2025 |
| Date Published | 2026-02-24 |
| Vendor | Solarwinds |
| Product | Serv-U |
| CVSS Score | 9.1 (critical) |
| EPSS Score | 0.0% (percentile: 7%) |
| CISA KEV | No |
| Ransomware | Not confirmed |
Vulnerability Description
A broken access control vulnerability exists in Serv-U which when exploited, gives a malicious actor the ability to create a system admin user and execute arbitrary code as a privileged account via domain admin or group admin privileges.
This issue requires administrative privileges to abuse. On Windows deployments, the risk is scored as a medium because services frequently run under less-privileged service accounts by default.
Required Actions
Apply vendor patches or mitigations as soon as available.
Who Is Affected?
This vulnerability affects Serv-U by Solarwinds. Check if your organization uses this software and requires updates.
Sources
Need help securing your systems? nFlo team offers vulnerability management and 24/7 SOC services. Contact us.
How can nFlo help?
If your organization uses products affected by this vulnerability, contact us. We can help with:
- Verifying whether your systems are at risk
- Implementing patches and risk mitigation
- Monitoring for exploitation attempts in your environment
Useful resources:
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2025-40538?
CVE-2025-40538 is a vulnerability discovered in Solarwinds's Serv-U. A broken access control vulnerability exists in Serv-U which when exploited, gives a malicious actor the ability to create a system admin user and execute arbitrary code as a privileged account via do. The severity is rated as critical (CVSS: 9.1).
Who is affected by CVE-2025-40538?
This vulnerability affects users of Solarwinds's Serv-U. Any organization using this software should immediately verify whether their systems require patching or mitigation measures.
How can I protect against CVE-2025-40538?
Apply the security patches provided by Solarwinds or implement the recommended mitigations. If patches are not yet available, consider temporarily disabling the vulnerable component or applying additional layers of protection.
Why is CVE-2025-40538 classified as critical?
This vulnerability received a CVSS score of 9.1, classifying it as critical. This means it can be easily exploited by attackers and may lead to severe consequences such as system takeover, data theft, or service disruption.
How should I monitor threats related to CVE-2025-40538?
Track advisories from Solarwinds, the NVD database, and the CISA KEV catalog. Implementing a vulnerability management system enables automatic detection and prioritization of threats across your IT infrastructure.
