Exploring CVE-2025-40602 Local Privilege Escalation

Published by Pamela on December 18, 2025

Privilege Escalation vulnerabilities pose significant risks to organizations, particularly those utilizing Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 1000 devices.

This article delves into CVE-2025-40602, a local privilege escalation vulnerability that has been actively exploited by attackers.

We will explore its relationship with CVE-2025-23006, which enables unauthenticated remote code execution, and emphasize the urgent need for organizations to implement security updates.

Furthermore, we will provide recommendations for securing SMA 1000 devices and limiting access to the Appliance Management Console, ensuring that organizations can safeguard their operations against potential threats.

Overview of CVE-2025-40602 on SMA 1000 Devices

CVE-2025-40602 is a critical local privilege escalation flaw affecting the SonicWall SMA 1000 appliances’ Appliance Management Console.

This vulnerability has already been exploited in the wild, enabling attackers to gain elevated privileges within affected systems, amplifying their potential impact.

This exposure stems from insufficient authorization mechanisms in the device’s security model, making it imperative for organizations to address this flaw swiftly.

This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it has been observed in tandem with CVE-2025-23006, an untrusted data deserialization issue that allows unauthenticated remote code execution with root access.

Exploiting these vulnerabilities together creates a pathway for attackers to expand control over the device significantly.

Organizations should ensure their systems are updated to patched versions while also limiting access to the management console as outlined in SonicWall’s advisories.

How CVE-2025-40602 Works with CVE-2025-23006

Exploitation of the CVE-2025-40602 vulnerability significantly leverages the capabilities of CVE-2025-23006, presenting a potent attack chain for cybercriminals targeting Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 1000 devices by SonicWall.

Attackers first exploit the deserialization flaw in CVE-2025-23006, which permits unauthenticated remote code execution with full root access.

Once this initial breach is established, they pivot to CVE-2025-40602, escalating local privileges and ensuring persistent access to compromised systems.

Consequentially, these vulnerabilities when combined, create a seamless path for attackers from initial intrusion to complete takeover.

• Start by exploiting CVE-2025-23006 for unauthenticated root-level code execution
• Access gained through CVE-2025-23006 allows immediate movement to exploit CVE-2025-40602
• Using CVE-2025-40602, attackers escalate privileges locally to maintain control over the system

This workflow underscores the critical need for organizations to upgrade their systems and apply necessary patches to mitigate these vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing security and reducing exposure.

January 2025 Patch Status and Administrative Actions

The January 2025 update addressed the CVE-2025-23006 vulnerability, highlighting its critical nature.

Organizations relying on SonicWall SMA 1000 devices must act efficiently to ensure system security by upgrading to the patched versions.

By navigating to the Device Manager, administrators can facilitate a smooth transition in keeping the Secure Mobile Access system protected from known exploits.

You can find more information about this patch at the SonicWall Vulnerability Details.

As the update goes live, administrators must also restrict access to the Appliance Management Console, SonicWall Support offers comprehensive guidance on hardening steps for AMC access.

This, coupled with system patches, enhances security by mitigating exploitation risks further.

Immediate patching of systems is absolutely critical to protect against potential threats.

Post-Patch Exploitation Challenges and Best Practices

Even after implementing patches for CVE-2025-23006 affecting SMA 1000 devices, attackers need to obtain a local user account to exploit CVE-2025-40602.

This elevates the need for rigorous user account management and local access restrictions, as attackers can leverage a user’s local presence on a device to escalate privileges.

Maintaining robust user account policies is crucial for minimizing exposure.

Organizations should continually apply security updates and monitor systems for any anomalous behavior, prioritizing updates made available by the manufacturer.

In addition, limiting access to the Appliance Management Console (AMC) to only trusted users is recommended to further reduce the attack surface.

It is vitally important for organizations to remain vigilant through active network monitoring and promptly responding to any indicators of compromise.

With these measures, organizations can effectively mitigate the residual risks posed after patching vulnerabilities.

Privilege Escalation vulnerabilities require immediate attention and action from organizations.

By implementing recommended patches and security measures, organizations can effectively mitigate risks and protect their SMA 1000 devices against exploitation.