# CVE-2026-40004: ZTE uSmartview privilege escalation via openssl.cnf search path

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40004-zte-usmartview-privilege-escalation-via-openssl-cnf-search-path  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-07. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-40004 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-05-07

A security vulnerability exists in the ZTE uSmartview Cloud PC client, a tool used for accessing virtual desktop environments. An attacker with physical or local access to a computer running this software can exploit a configuration flaw to gain higher-level administrative permissions. This could allow an unauthorized user to take full control of the system, access sensitive data, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: [Zte Zxcloud Irai](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/zxcloud-irai). Vendors: [Zte](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/zte).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40004 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40004 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40004?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 7 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Zte uSmartview (ZXCloud iRAI) 7.23.20 to 7.25.43.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40004?** 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-2026-40004 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40004?** Check whether you run Zte uSmartview (ZXCloud iRAI) or Zte Zxcloud Irai 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

The ZTE uSmartview Cloud PC client (ZXCloud iRAI) is vulnerable to an uncontrolled search path (CWE-427) involving the openssl.cnf configuration file. Because the application does not properly validate or secure the path from which it loads this configuration, a local attacker can place a malicious configuration file in a directory searched by the application. When the application loads the malicious file, it can be forced to execute arbitrary code or load malicious libraries. This allows a low-privileged local user to escalate their privileges to those of the application, typically administrative or system-level. The vulnerability affects versions from 7.23.20 up to (but excluding) 7.25.43.

## Affected products

- ZTE uSmartview (ZXCloud iRAI) 7.23.20 to 7.25.43

## Timeline

- 2026-05-07: disclosed
- 2026-05-07: advisory

## References

- [https://support.zte.com.cn/zte-iccp-isupport-webui/bulletin/detail/3126272076755775573](https://support.zte.com.cn/zte-iccp-isupport-webui/bulletin/detail/3126272076755775573)

## Related threats

- [ZTE uSmartview format string vulnerability in Cloud PC client](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44407-zte-usmartview-format-string-vulnerability-in-cloud-pc-client)
- [ZTE Cloud PC client uSmartView contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability; since uSmartViewServiceAgent.exe runs with…](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44406-zte-cloud-pc-client-usmartview-contains-a-dll-hijacking)