CVE-2025-40536
Published: February 12, 2026
Official Description
SolarWinds Web Help Desk contains a security control bypass vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain access to certain restricted functionality.
CISA KEV Advisory
SolarWinds Web Help Desk Security Control Bypass Vulnerability
SolarWinds Web Help Desk contains a security control bypass vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain access to certain restricted functionality.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Risk Analysis
This critical vulnerability in SolarWinds Web Help Desk allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass security controls and gain access to restricted functionality. With a CVSS score of 9.8 and an EPSS score of 0.66632, this flaw presents a severe risk of compromise. Its inclusion in CISA's KEV confirms active exploitation.
This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild. It is remotely exploitable without authentication, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access.
Immediately apply all available patches and updates for SolarWinds Web Help Desk. Implement strong access controls and monitor for suspicious activity on affected systems.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-40536 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.
CISA has added CVE-2025-40536 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploit & PoC Resources
News & Research Mentioning CVE-2025-40536
CISA has added four new vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, based on evidence of active exploitation. CVE-2024-43468 Microsoft Configuration Manager SQL Injection Vulnerability CVE-2025-15556 Notepad++ Download of Code Without Integrity Check Vulnerability CVE-2025-40536 SolarWinds Web Help Desk Security Control Bypass Vulnerability CVE-2026-20700 Apple Multiple Buffer Overflow Vulnerability These types of vulnerabilities are frequent attack vectors for malicious cyber actors and pose significant risks to the federal enterprise. Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01: Reducing the Significant Risk of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities established the KEV Catalog as a living list of known Common Vulnerabilities and Ex [xlite_meta score:47 src:CISA Alerts xlite_fp:098a19bd7fa4d5615695022f72e740127ed9fc369ea6e6a0fc9f3b03774191fd]
All References (3)
Quick Facts
Known Threat Actors
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2025-40536 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1