CVE-2016-20033: Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated use

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-20033 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting streaming engine. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files due to improper file permissions granting full access to the Everyone group. Attackers can replace the nssm_x64.exe binary in the manager and engine service directories with malicious executables to execute code with LocalSystem privileges when services restart.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 89%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-639
Published	2026-03-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: wowza

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-03-16 14:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wowza streaming engine DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.5.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy streaming-engine || rpm -q streaming-engine || streaming-engine --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison streaming-engine sudo apt install streaming-engine=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold streaming-engine

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list streaming-engine sudo dnf downgrade streaming-engine-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add streaming-engine

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-20033?

streaming engine: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-20033 being exploited?

CVE-2016-20033 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-20033 affect?

CVE-2016-20033 affects streaming engine. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Wowza Streaming Engine 4.5.0 contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to escalate privileges by replacing executable files due to improper file permissions granting full access to the Everyone grou

How urgent is CVE-2016-20033?

Priority 35/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-52056 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Path Traversal in the Manager component of Wowza Streaming Engine below 4.9.1 allows an administrator user to
CVE-2024-52055 MEDIUM 4.9 UPGRADE Path Traversal in the Manager component of Wowza Streaming Engine below 4.9.1 allows an administrator user to
CVE-2024-52054 LOW 2.7 UPGRADE Path Traversal in the Manager component of Wowza Streaming Engine below 4.9.1 allows an administrator user to
CVE-2024-52053 CRITICAL 9.6 UPGRADE Stored Cross-Site Scripting in the Manager component of Wowza Streaming Engine below 4.9.1 allows an unauthent
CVE-2024-52052 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE Wowza Streaming Engine below 4.9.1 permits an authenticated Streaming Engine Manager administrator to define a

References

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