Cato Networks Linux Client Local Privilege Escalation via Symlink
Priority LOW 38CWE-59Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
An issue in Cato Networks' CatoClient for Linux, before version 5.5, allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to root by exploiting improper symbolic link handling.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00174 6th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Cato Client (Cato Networks): 5.5
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cato Networks | Cato Client | 5.0 to before 5.5 | 5.5 | Patch available | CNA |
- Cato Client VendorCato Networks Affected 5.0 to before 5.5 Fixed in 5.5 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Cato Client (Cato Networks) Fixed in 5.5
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-7012
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-pxpx-75qh-g8x5
References
More Cato Networks vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-23578 An issue in CatoNetworks CatoClient before v.5.4.0 allows attackers to escalate… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2024-06472 Improper input validation in Cato Networks SDP Client CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-12991 Cato's Socket WebUI is vulnerable to OS Command Injection CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.3
- TI-2024-06474 Untrusted search path in Cato Networks SDP Client CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2024-06473 Incorrect default permissions in Cato Networks SDP Client CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-09234 Cato Networks SDP Client for Windows is vulnerable to Local Privilege Escalation CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.5
Sources
- CVE-2025-7012 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-7012 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-pxpx-75qh-g8x5 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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