CVE-2026-5789: Vulnerability related to an unquoted search path in CivetWeb v1.16

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2026-5789 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting civetweb. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Vulnerability related to an unquoted search path in CivetWeb v1.16. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious executable in a directory that is scanned before the intended application path (C:\Program Files\CivetWeb\CivetWeb.exe --), due to the absence of quotes in the service configuration.

Why this priority

High severity

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	0.1% (top 97%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-428
Published	2026-04-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute, S.A. (INCIBE) · Vendor: civetweb project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-21 15:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

civetweb project civetweb DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.16

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.16

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy civetweb || rpm -q civetweb || civetweb --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.16 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison civetweb sudo apt install civetweb=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16> sudo apt-mark hold civetweb

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

dnf --showduplicates list civetweb sudo dnf downgrade civetweb-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16> sudo dnf versionlock add civetweb

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-2026-5789?

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

Is CVE-2026-5789 being exploited?

CVE-2026-5789 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-2026-5789 affect?

CVE-2026-5789 affects civetweb. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Vulnerability related to an unquoted search path in CivetWeb v1.16. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious executable in a directory that is scanned before the in

How urgent is CVE-2026-5789?

Priority 28/100. High severity

References

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