hMailServer installer default permissions allow privilege escalation
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Progressive Robot hMailServer from 6.0.0 through 6.3.6 has incorrect default permissions in its Windows installer (CWE-276). When the product is installed in a folder that inherits permissions from a writable parent, such as the root of a drive, a local authenticated user can alter or replace the server's programs or place a library in its Bin folder. This gives code execution as LocalSystem, the service's virtual account, or the administrator running the programs elevated. The default Program Files installation is not affected.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
Incorrect default permissions in the Windows installer of Progressive Robot hMailServer 6.0.0 through 6.3.6 allow a local authenticated user to run code as the mail server's high-privileged accounts when the product is installed in a folder whose permissions are inherited from a writable parent, such as the root of a drive. The installer places the server's programs in the Bin folder of the program folder and gives neither the program folder nor Bin any permissions of their own, so they inherit the parent's. Under the default location, Program Files, ordinary users receive only read and execute and the configuration is not affected; but the installer accepts any path without warning, and a program folder at the root of an NTFS volume inherits write access for a broad group - Authenticated Users (Modify) on a Windows client, Users (create files and folders) on Windows Server. A local user without administrator rights can then alter or replace the service program, which runs as LocalSystem or as the service's virtual account, or the programs an administrator runs elevated from Bin during setup and maintenance, or place a library in Bin that those programs load in place of the system copy, gaining code execution with those privileges. The default Program Files installation is not affected.
Why it matters now
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Robot Ltd | hMailServer | 6.0.0 – 6.3.6 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- hMailServer VendorProgressive Robot Ltd Affected 6.0.0 – 6.3.6 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for hMailServer. Install hMailServer in the default Program Files location, where ordinary users receive only read and execute permissions.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Timeline
- 2026-10-19 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-107571
- 2026-10-20 Alias added: GHSA-xgwq-m9m9-pgw3
- 2026-10-20 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-20 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
References
More Progressive Robot Ltd vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-64884 Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection') in hMailServer CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-76418 Unchecked loop limit in hMailServer lets remote attackers stop mail CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-69567 Inefficient processing in hMailServer stalls mail delivery CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-69565 Infinite loop in hMailServer MIME handling lets attackers stop mail CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-69564 Inefficient DKIM and ARC checks in hMailServer cause denial of service CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-69562 Inefficient JSON parsing in hMailServer lets attackers halt mail CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2026-107571 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-107571 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-xgwq-m9m9-pgw3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences