CVE-2026-18485: Local Privilege Escalation in NI-PAL
Awaiting analysis
Published 05-08-2026Last modified 06-08-2026
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2026-18485 is a high (CVSS 8.5) vulnerability in ni ni-pal. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 5.6% of scored vulnerabilities.
CVSS score
8.5/10
010
High · v4.0 (CVE.org)EPSS score
0.17%
0%100%
Low · +0.05 pp in 30 daysKEVNot listedNot listed by any tracked catalog.
RansomwareNot flaggedNo ransomware use recorded.
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded
Timeline
- 05-08-2026PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 06-08-2026Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
There is a local privilege escalation vulnerability recently discovered in the NI-PAL kernel driver. This may allow a local, authenticated user to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects NI-PAL 26.3.1 and prior versions running on Microsoft Windows.
CVSS metrics
4 scores · 2 sources · 2 versionsHigh 8.5Preferred score · CVE.org (CNA)
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NSourcesAll 2 agree
- NVDNIST8.5HighCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
High 7.8Preferred score · CVE.org (CNA)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSourcesAll 2 agree
- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.17%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
6%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
Increase +0.05 pp
From 0.11% on 22-09-2026
22-09-202622-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
Not in the ENISA CNW catalog.
Not in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Ni1 product
- ni-pal≤ 26.3.1
1 vendor · 1 product