CVE-2016-20033
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 Local Privilege Escalation via nssm_x64.exe
Description
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files due to improper file permissions granting full access to the Everyone group. Attackers can replace the nssm_x64.exe binary in the manager and engine service directories with malicious executables to execute code with LocalSystem privileges when services restart.
INFO
Published Date :
March 16, 2026, 2:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
March 19, 2026, 2:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Remove 'Everyone' group permissions on executable files.
- Grant necessary permissions only to specific users/groups.
- Monitor file integrity for unauthorized modifications.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2016-20033.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| http://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2016-5339.php | Exploit Third Party Advisory |
| https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40132 | Exploit Third Party Advisory VDB Entry |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wowza-streaming-engine-local-privilege-escalation-via-nssm-x64-exe | Third Party Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2016-20033 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2016-20033
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2016-20033 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2016-20033 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Mar. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:wowza:streaming_engine:4.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added Reference Type VulnCheck: http://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2016-5339.php Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40132 Types: Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wowza-streaming-engine-local-privilege-escalation-via-nssm-x64-exe Types: Third Party Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Mar. 16, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files due to improper file permissions granting full access to the Everyone group. Attackers can replace the nssm_x64.exe binary in the manager and engine service directories with malicious executables to execute code with LocalSystem privileges when services restart. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-639 Added Reference http://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2016-5339.php Added Reference https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40132 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wowza-streaming-engine-local-privilege-escalation-via-nssm-x64-exe