# CVE-2026-87271: Oracle VM VirtualBox privilege escalation in Core

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87271-oracle-vm-virtualbox-privilege-escalation-in-core  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-15. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-87271 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-15

Oracle VM VirtualBox is virtualization software used to run multiple operating systems on a single computer. A local privilege escalation vulnerability in version 7.2.16 (Windows host only) allows a user with basic system access to take complete control of the virtualization environment, potentially compromising all virtual machines and the host system. An attacker could access or modify sensitive data and disrupt operations across hosted systems.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-87271 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-87271 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-87271?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 15 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Oracle Vm Virtualbox 7.2.16.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-87271?** 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-2026-87271 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-87271?** Check whether you run Oracle Vm 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

This is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Core component of Oracle VM VirtualBox 7.2.16 affecting Windows hosts. The vulnerability is easily exploitable and requires only low-level privileges and logon access (no special authentication bypass required). An attacker with local access can escalate privileges to achieve complete compromise (takeover) of the VirtualBox process and guest virtual machines. The attack vector is local, with low complexity, and does not require user interaction. Patch availability status is not indicated in the advisory.

## Affected products

- Oracle VM VirtualBox 7.2.16

## Timeline

- 2026-09-15: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cspusep2026.html](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cspusep2026.html)

## Related threats

- [Oracle VM VirtualBox core privilege escalation via physical network access](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87322-vulnerability-in-the-oracle-vm-virtualbox-product-of-oracle)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox denial-of-service in Core](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87311-vulnerability-in-the-oracle-vm-virtualbox-product-of-oracle)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox denial of service in Core](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87303-vulnerability-in-the-oracle-vm-virtualbox-product-of-oracle)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox privilege escalation in Core](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87301-vulnerability-in-the-oracle-vm-virtualbox-product-of-oracle)
- [Oracle VM VirtualBox privilege escalation in Core component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101599-vulnerability-in-the-oracle-vm-virtualbox-product-of-oracle)