Versa SASE Client CVE-2025-34290
HIGHSeverity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/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
TOCTOU race requires precise timing against a privileged service (AC:H); low-privilege local auth required (PR:L); gaining SYSTEM from a user-level process is a scope change (S:C).
Primary rating from Vendor (vulncheck).
CVSS VectorVendor: vulncheck
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Versa SASE Client for Windows versions released between 7.8.7 and 7.9.4 contain a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the audit log export functionality. The client communicates user-controlled file paths to a privileged service, which performs file system operations without impersonating the requesting user. Due to improper privilege handling and a time-of-check time-of-use race condition combined with symbolic link and mount point manipulation, a local authenticated attacker can coerce the service into deleting arbitrary directories with SYSTEM privileges. This can be exploited to delete protected system folders such as C:\\Config.msi and subsequently achieve execution as NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM via MSI rollback techniques.
AnalysisAI
Local privilege escalation in Versa SASE Client for Windows (versions 7.8.7 through 7.9.4) allows authenticated local users to achieve NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM execution by abusing the audit log export feature. The client passes user-controlled file paths to a privileged background service that performs file system operations without impersonating the caller, and a TOCTOU race window combined with symbolic link and mount point manipulation coerces the service into deleting arbitrary directories as SYSTEM. Deletion of protected Windows Installer directories such as C:\Config.msi, followed by MSI rollback techniques, yields full SYSTEM code execution. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Technical ContextAI
The vulnerability affects the Versa SASE Client for Windows, an endpoint agent for Versa Networks' Secure Access Service Edge platform used for zero-trust network access. The root cause is CWE-250 (Execution with Unnecessary Privileges): a Windows service running as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM accepts user-controlled file path arguments from an unprivileged client process via the audit log export function without adopting the caller's security context through impersonation. This creates a TOCTOU (time-of-check time-of-use) race condition: during the interval between the service resolving the supplied path and performing the deletion, the attacker can interpose a Windows symbolic link or directory mount point (junction) redirecting the operation to an arbitrary target directory. The privileged service then deletes the attacker-chosen target rather than the legitimate audit log path. Targeting C:\Config.msi - used by the Microsoft Windows Installer subsystem - then enables an MSI rollback attack: Windows Installer, also operating as SYSTEM, executes attacker-staged payloads during the rollback sequence. The CVSS 4.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H confirms local attack vector, low-privilege authentication, and full vulnerable-system impact.
RemediationAI
Upgrade the Versa SASE Client for Windows to a release beyond 7.9.4; the exact patched version is not specified in the available intelligence and must be confirmed via the Versa Networks security portal bulletin at https://security-portal.versa-networks.com/emailbulletins/69421e33d03aafc8e5bdaf21 and the VulnCheck advisory at https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/versa-sase-client-for-windows-arbitrary-file-deletion-leading-to-lpe. As a compensating control pending upgrade, restrict local interactive and Remote Desktop access on hosts running the affected client to only essential personnel, shrinking the pool of potential threat actors who can meet the low-privilege authentication prerequisite. Consider enforcing application whitelisting or Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies to impede MSI rollback exploitation chains, though this adds deployment overhead and may conflict with legitimate MSI-based software management workflows. As a detective control, monitor Windows Event Log for unexpected deletions of C:\Config.msi (Event IDs 11724 and 1034) and unusual Windows Installer rollback events, which would indicate attempted or successful exploitation.
Same weakness CWE-250 – Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
View allSame technique Privilege Escalation
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External POC / Exploit Code
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