# CVE-2026-60159: Oracle VM VirtualBox privilege escalation in Core component

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-60159-oracle-vm-virtualbox-privilege-escalation-in-core-component  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-21. Updated: 2026-07-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-60159 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-07-21

A vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox, a popular virtualization tool, could allow a highly privileged user on the host system to take complete control of the VirtualBox environment. While difficult to exploit, a successful attack could potentially impact other software running on the same infrastructure. This poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of virtualized workloads and the underlying host system.

Technologies: [Oracle VirtualBox](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/virtualbox). Vendors: [Oracle](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/oracle).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-60159 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-60159 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-60159?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 21 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Oracle VirtualBox 7.2.12.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-60159?** 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-2026-60159 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-60159?** Check whether you run Oracle VirtualBox 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 vulnerability exists in the Core component of Oracle VM VirtualBox version 7.2.12. The flaw is characterized by a scope change (S:C), meaning a successful exploit can impact components beyond the immediate security scope of VirtualBox. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have existing logon access to the infrastructure where VirtualBox is executing with high privileges (PR:H). Although the vulnerability is described as difficult to exploit (AC:H), a successful attack results in a complete takeover of the VirtualBox application, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Users are advised to refer to the Oracle July 2026 Critical Patch Update for remediation details.

## Affected products

- Oracle VM VirtualBox 7.2.12

## Timeline

- 2026-07-21: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2026.html](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2026.html)

## Related threats

- [Oracle VirtualBox privilege escalation in Core](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87276-oracle-virtualbox-privilege-escalation-in-core)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox data exposure in Core component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-60162-oracle-vm-virtualbox-data-exposure-in-core-component)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox denial of service in Core component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-60161-oracle-vm-virtualbox-denial-of-service-in-core-component)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox information disclosure in Core component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-60160-oracle-vm-virtualbox-information-disclosure-in-core-component)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox integrity and availability vulnerability in Core component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-60158-oracle-vm-virtualbox-integrity-and-availability-vulnerability-in)