# CVE-2026-81572: Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime insecure temporary file in cmu.exe

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81572-wibu-systems-codemeter-runtime-insecure-temporary-file-in-cmu-exe  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-27. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81572 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-08-27

CodeMeter Runtime is a license management system used by software publishers to protect and monetize their applications. The vulnerability allows a local attacker to create symbolic links or junctions pointing to arbitrary system locations, which can result in deletion of sensitive files or privilege escalation, since CodeMeter runs with System-level privileges. This could compromise system integrity and enable unauthorized administrative access.

Technologies: [Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/codemeter-runtime). Vendors: [Wibu-Systems](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/wibu-systems).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-81572 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81572 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81572?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 27 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime 8.40 to 8.41a (excluding), 9.00 to 9.10 (excluding).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81572?** 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-2026-81572 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81572?** Check whether you run Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime 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 vulnerability is a local privilege escalation flaw in the cmu.exe command-line utility (versions 8.40–8.41a and 9.00–9.10). When invoked with the --create-io --file C: flag, cmu.exe creates a predictable temporary file in C:\CM-Stick without properly validating for NTFS reparse points such as junctions or symbolic links. An unauthenticated local attacker can pre-create a junction at the target location pointing to an arbitrary system path; when CodeMeter (running as SYSTEM) writes to the junction, files at the target location are overwritten or deleted. The attack requires local file system access but no special privileges. Patches are available in versions 8.41a and 9.10 and later.

## Affected products

- Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime 8.40 to 8.41a (excluding), 9.00 to 9.10 (excluding)

## Timeline

- 2026-08-27: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.wibu.com/products/codemeter/runtime.html](https://www.wibu.com/products/codemeter/runtime.html)
- [https://cdn.wibu.com/fileadmin/wibu_downloads/security_advisories/AdvisoryWIBU-103081.pdf](https://cdn.wibu.com/fileadmin/wibu_downloads/security_advisories/AdvisoryWIBU-103081.pdf)

## Related threats

- [Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime cryptographic weakness in handle authentication](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81576-wibu-systems-codemeter-runtime-cryptographic-weakness-in-handle)
- [Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime buffer over-read in server mode](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81575-wibu-systems-codemeter-runtime-buffer-over-read-in-server-mode)
- [Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime format string injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81574-wibu-systems-codemeter-runtime-format-string-injection)
- [Wibu-Systems CodeMeter Runtime network-origin bypass in configuration handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81573-wibu-systems-codemeter-runtime-network-origin-bypass-in)