# CVE-2026-59260: OpenWrt luci-app-samba4 privilege escalation in smbd ACL

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59260-openwrt-luci-app-samba4-privilege-escalation-in-smbd-acl  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-12. Updated: 2026-07-12  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-59260 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-07-12

A security flaw in the OpenWrt Samba management interface allows users who are supposed to have limited, read-only access to take full control of the device. By exploiting a misconfiguration in how permissions are assigned, an authorized user can run the Samba service with custom settings that trigger the execution of malicious commands. This could lead to a complete system takeover, allowing an attacker to access sensitive data or disrupt network operations.

Vendors: [OpenWrt](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openwrt).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-59260 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-59260 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-59260?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 12 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** OpenWrt Luci-App-Samba4 Tested with 26.158.66357~46cd823; all versions prior to patch; OpenWrt Samba4-Server Tested with 4.22.7-r3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-59260?** 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-2026-59260 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-59260?** Check whether you run OpenWrt Luci-App-Samba4 or OpenWrt Samba4-Server 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 the OpenWrt luci-app-samba4 package due to improper privilege management in its Access Control List (ACL) configuration. The 'read' ACL incorrectly grants 'file.exec' permissions for the /usr/sbin/smbd binary to delegated users. An authenticated attacker with these permissions can use the rpcd 'file.exec' function to launch a temporary smbd instance with arbitrary command-line arguments. By passing specific Samba global options (such as 'message command') via the '--option' flag and then triggering the SMB1 message path, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The vulnerability requires an authenticated LuCI/rpcd session with at least read-only Samba permissions.

## Affected products

- OpenWrt luci-app-samba4 Tested with 26.158.66357~46cd823; all versions prior to patch
- OpenWrt samba4-server Tested with 4.22.7-r3

## Timeline

- 2026-06-27: advisory: Initial GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-07-12: disclosed: CVE published to NVD dataset

## References

- [https://github.com/openwrt/luci/security/advisories/GHSA-vx64-mmp7-h36c](https://github.com/openwrt/luci/security/advisories/GHSA-vx64-mmp7-h36c)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openwrt-luci-app-samba4-read-acl-remote-code-execution-via-smbd](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openwrt-luci-app-samba4-read-acl-remote-code-execution-via-smbd)