CVE-2026-8169
ExtremeXOS Debug-Mode Privilege Escalation via Weak PRNG
Description
ExtremeXOS (EXOS) uses a challenge-response mechanism to authorize access to the privileged debug-mode function. The challenge value is generated using an insufficiently random source, which under certain conditions may allow an attacker to predict the expected response and activate debug-mode without authorization. Depending on device configuration and version, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation requires either a valid low-privilege account on the device (remote scenario) or physical serial console access (local scenario). This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-14329, which addressed a different issue involving Python script privileges. Extreme would like to thank Hadrien Barral (Université Gustave Eiffel) and Georges-Axel Jaloyan (French Ministry of the Interior) for responsible disclosure of their findings.
INFO
Published Date :
July 20, 2026, 6:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
July 20, 2026, 8:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
1c053176-eef3-4d6a-ae0b-24728c86587b
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2026-8169
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
No affected product recoded yet
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 1c053176-eef3-4d6a-ae0b-24728c86587b | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 1c053176-eef3-4d6a-ae0b-24728c86587b |
Solution
- Update the EXOS software to the latest version.
- Apply vendor patches for random number generation.
- Restrict access to privileged debug functions.
- Monitor for unauthorized debug-mode access.
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-2026-8169.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://www.extremenetworks.com/support/policies/product-security |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-8169 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-2026-8169
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-2026-8169 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-8169 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 1c053176-eef3-4d6a-ae0b-24728c86587b
Jul. 20, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Description ExtremeXOS (EXOS) uses a challenge-response mechanism to authorize access to the privileged debug-mode function. The challenge value is generated using an insufficiently random source, which under certain conditions may allow an attacker to predict the expected response and activate debug-mode without authorization. Depending on device configuration and version, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation requires either a valid low-privilege account on the device (remote scenario) or physical serial console access (local scenario). This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-14329, which addressed a different issue involving Python script privileges. ExtremeXOS (EXOS) uses a challenge-response mechanism to authorize access to the privileged debug-mode function. The challenge value is generated using an insufficiently random source, which under certain conditions may allow an attacker to predict the expected response and activate debug-mode without authorization. Depending on device configuration and version, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation requires either a valid low-privilege account on the device (remote scenario) or physical serial console access (local scenario). This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-14329, which addressed a different issue involving Python script privileges. Extreme would like to thank Hadrien Barral (Université Gustave Eiffel) and Georges-Axel Jaloyan (French Ministry of the Interior) for responsible disclosure of their findings. -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jul. 20, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-8169', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-07-20T18:26:07.254983Z'} -
New CVE Received by 1c053176-eef3-4d6a-ae0b-24728c86587b
Jul. 20, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'Extreme Networks', 'product': 'Switch Engine (EXOS)', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '31.7.4', 'versionType': 'custom'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '32.0.0', 'lessThan': '32.7.4.15', 'versionType': 'custom'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '33.0.0', 'lessThan': '33.1.100', 'versionType': 'custom'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '33.2.0', 'lessThan': '33.7.1', 'versionType': 'custom'}], 'platforms': ['Switch Engine'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description ExtremeXOS (EXOS) uses a challenge-response mechanism to authorize access to the privileged debug-mode function. The challenge value is generated using an insufficiently random source, which under certain conditions may allow an attacker to predict the expected response and activate debug-mode without authorization. Depending on device configuration and version, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation requires either a valid low-privilege account on the device (remote scenario) or physical serial console access (local scenario). This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-14329, which addressed a different issue involving Python script privileges. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/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 CWE CWE-338 Added Reference https://www.extremenetworks.com/support/policies/product-security