CVE-2026-8169

Summary

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.

Affected Software

Weaknesses

• CWE-338: CWE-338: Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG)

Workarounds

Where immediate upgrade is not feasible, customers should: (1) restrict CLI access to trusted administrators only; (2) enforce strong authentication and rotate any default credentials; (3) restrict physical access to serial console ports; and (4) monitor device logs for unexpected debug-mode activation attempts.

ADP Enrichment

CISA ADP Vulnrichment

• SSVC:
• Exploitation: none
  • Automatable: no
  • Technical Impact: total

References

• https://www.extremenetworks.com/support/policies/product-security

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