CVE-2025-40536: SolarWinds Web Help Desk Security Control Bypass Vulnerability

In short

SolarWinds Web Help Desk has a weakness classified as protection mechanism failure (CWE-693). CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-02-12. NVD lists CVSS 3.1 at 9.8 CRITICAL.

What it is

“SolarWinds Web Help Desk contains a security control bypass vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain access to certain restricted functionality.” — CISA KEV, retrieved 2026-11-01

“SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to a security control bypass vulnerability that if exploited, could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain access to certain restricted functionality.” — NVD, retrieved 2026-11-01

Who is affected

SolarWinds Web Help Desk. NVD lists the following versions as affected:

• Versions before 2026.1

Exploitation status

CISA KEV added: 2026-02-12. Known ransomware campaign use: Not reported by CISA. Due date CISA set for US federal civilian agencies: 2026-02-15.

Scores

NVD CVSS 3.1: 9.8 CRITICAL; vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H; source [email protected].

EPSS by FIRST: 73.56%; percentile 99.47; score date 2026-10-31. EPSS estimates the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

CWE: CWE-693.

Timeline

CISA required action

“Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.” — CISA KEV

What to do

• Confirm whether you run SolarWinds Web Help Desk and which version.
• Apply the vendor update or mitigation in the advisory.
• Follow CISA’s required action.
• Review the vendor guidance on signs of compromise.
• Track the fix through completion.

References

• Release Notes: https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/whd/content/release_notes/whd_2026-1_release_notes.htm
• Vendor Advisory: https://www.solarwinds.com/trust-center/security-advisories/CVE-2025-40536
• NVD detail
• CVE.org record
• CISA KEV catalog

Sources and dates

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, version 2026.10.30; retrieved 2026-11-01. CISA KEV data: CC0 1.0. No endorsement by CISA.

NVD retrieved: 2026-11-01. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

EPSS scores by FIRST; score date 2026-10-31.