CVE-2026-25740
Privilege escalation to the `CAP_NET_RAW` capability via the `programs.captive-browser` NixOS module
Description
captive browser, a dedicated Chrome instance to log into captive portals without messing with DNS settings. In 25.05 and earlier, when programs.captive-browser is enabled, any user of the system can run arbitrary commands with the CAP_NET_RAW capability (binding to privileged ports, spoofing localhost traffic from privileged services...). This vulnerability is fixed in 25.11 and 26.05.
INFO
Published Date :
Feb. 9, 2026, 9:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 17, 2026, 10:25 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update captive browser to version 25.11 or later.
- Ensure programs.captive-browser is disabled if not needed.
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-2026-25740.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/487775 | |
| https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/487779 | |
| https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/security/advisories/GHSA-wc3r-c66x-8xmc |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-25740 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-2026-25740
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-2026-25740 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-25740 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.
-
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'NixOS', 'product': 'nixpkgs', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '<= 25.05'}]}] -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-25740', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-02-10T15:30:17.008038Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Feb. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description captive browser, a dedicated Chrome instance to log into captive portals without messing with DNS settings. In 25.05 and earlier, when programs.captive-browser is enabled, any user of the system can run arbitrary commands with the CAP_NET_RAW capability (binding to privileged ports, spoofing localhost traffic from privileged services...). This vulnerability is fixed in 25.11 and 26.05. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/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 CWE CWE-250 Added Reference https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/487775 Added Reference https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/487779 Added Reference https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/security/advisories/GHSA-wc3r-c66x-8xmc