CVE-2016-1561

HIGH

ExaGrid <4.8 P26 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2016-1561. PoCs published by Metasploit, egypt, including Metasploit module exploits/linux/ssh/exagrid_known_privkey.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2016-1561 by leveraging a hardcoded SSH private key and default password ('inflection') to gain root access on ExaGrid backup appliances. It attempts authentication via both the private key and password, then spawns an interactive shell upon successful login.

Description

ExaGrid appliances with firmware before 4.8 P26 have a default SSH public key in the authorized_keys file for root, which allows remote attackers to obtain SSH access by leveraging knowledge of a private key from another installation or a firmware image.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotelinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41680

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2016-1561 by leveraging a hardcoded SSH private key and default password ('inflection') to gain root access on ExaGrid backup appliances. It attempts authentication via both the private key and password, then spawns an interactive shell upon successful login.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: ExaGrid backup appliances (multiple versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target's SSH port (22) · ExaGrid appliance with default credentials or hardcoded SSH key
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by egypt · rubypocunix
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/ssh/exagrid_known_privkey.rb

This Metasploit module exploits ExaGrid backup appliances by leveraging a known SSH private key or default password ('inflection') for root authentication, enabling unauthorized remote access.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: ExaGrid backup appliances
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target SSH port (22)
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.7426
EPSS Percentile 99.4%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Details

CWE
CWE-200
Status published
Products (8)
exagrid/ex10000e_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex13000e_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex21000e_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex3000_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex32000e_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex40000e_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex5000_firmware 4.8
exagrid/ex7000_firmware 4.8
Published Apr 21, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026