# CVE-2026-14172: Rapid7 InsightVM and Insight Agent privilege escalation via unvalidated file execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-14172-rapid7-insightvm-and-insight-agent-privilege-escalation-via  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-24. Updated: 2026-07-24  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-14172 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-24

Rapid7 vulnerability management tools and agents contain a flaw that allows a local user with low privileges to execute unauthorized code. This occurs because the software runs discovered files during security scans without checking who owns them. An attacker could use this to gain full control over a system (root or SYSTEM privileges) or hijack the credentials used for security scanning.

Technologies: [Rapid7 Insight Agent](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/insight-agent). Vendors: [Rapid7](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/rapid7).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-14172 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-14172 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-14172?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 24 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Rapid7 Insight Agent Content component < 0.0.245.0; Rapid7 InsightVM Scan Engine content < 1.1.3935; Rapid7 Nexpose Scan Engine content < 1.1.3935.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-14172?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-14172 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-14172?** Check whether you run Rapid7 Insight Agent, Rapid7 InsightVM or Rapid7 Nexpose at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Rapid7 InsightVM, Nexpose, and the Insight Agent due to improper validation of file ownership (CWE-250). During authenticated assessments, the Scan Engine and Insight Agent may execute discovered binaries found on the target system. Because the software does not verify that these files are owned by a trusted user, a local attacker with low privileges can place a malicious executable in a location where it will be discovered and run. This allows the attacker to execute code with the privileges of the scan credential (for Scan Engine) or as root/SYSTEM (for Insight Agent). The issue is resolved in Scan Engine content version 1.1.3935 and Insight Agent content component 0.0.245.0.

## Affected products

- Rapid7 InsightVM Scan Engine content < 1.1.3935
- Rapid7 Nexpose Scan Engine content < 1.1.3935
- Rapid7 Insight Agent Content component < 0.0.245.0

## Timeline

- 2026-07-24: disclosed
- 2026-07-24: advisory

## References

- [https://docs.rapid7.com/insight/release-notes-2026-july/](https://docs.rapid7.com/insight/release-notes-2026-july/)
- [https://docs.rapid7.com/insight/release-notes-2026-july/](https://docs.rapid7.com/insight/release-notes-2026-july/)

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- [The Rapid7 Insight Agent (versions > 4.1.0.2) is vulnerable to a local privilege escalation attack that allows users…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-6482-the-rapid7-insight-agent-versions-4-1-0-2-is-vulnerable-to-a-local)
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