CVE-2025-26168
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation to root on Linux and macOS systems running IXON VPN Client versions before 1.4.4. A low-privileged user can exploit a race condition in a world-writable temporary directory to execute arbitrary code via a manipulated configuration file. This affects all users of vulnerable IXON VPN Client installations.
💻 Affected Systems
- IXON VPN Client
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise where an attacker gains root privileges, enabling installation of persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, lateral movement, and full control of the affected system.
Likely Case
Local attackers or malicious users with shell access escalate privileges to root, potentially compromising sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or installing malware.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to isolated systems, though successful exploitation still grants root access to the compromised host.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of the race condition timing. No public exploit code has been identified at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.4
Vendor Advisory: https://support.ixon.cloud/s/article/VPN-Client-installation-and-uninstallation
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download IXON VPN Client version 1.4.4 or later from official sources. 2. Uninstall the current vulnerable version. 3. Install the updated version. 4. Restart the system to ensure all components are properly loaded.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict temporary directory permissions
linuxChange permissions on the world-writable temporary directory used by IXON VPN Client to prevent unauthorized file manipulation.
chmod 750 /tmp/ixon_vpn_temp_directory
chown root:root /tmp/ixon_vpn_temp_directory
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or disable IXON VPN Client from affected systems until patching is possible.
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user accounts and monitor for privilege escalation attempts.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the installed version of IXON VPN Client. If version is earlier than 1.4.4, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
ixon-vpn-client --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify that IXON VPN Client version is 1.4.4 or later and that the temporary directory permissions have been properly secured.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts in system logs
- Modifications to IXON VPN configuration files by non-root users
- Failed attempts to access restricted temporary directories
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="system_logs" AND (event="privilege_escalation" OR process="ixon-vpn-client") AND user!="root"