CVE-2016-8742

HIGH

Apache CouchDB <2.0.0 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2016-8742. PoCs published by hyp3rlinx.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This is a detailed writeup describing a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Apache CouchDB v2.0.0 due to insecure file permissions on the 'nssm.exe' executable. Authenticated users can replace the executable to gain SYSTEM privileges when the service restarts.

Description

The Windows installer that the Apache CouchDB team provides was vulnerable to local privilege escalation. All files in the install inherit the file permissions of the parent directory and therefore a non-privileged user can substitute any executable for the nssm.exe service launcher, or CouchDB batch or binary files. A subsequent service or server restart will then run that binary with administrator privilege. This issue affected CouchDB 2.0.0 (Windows platform only) and was addressed in CouchDB 2.0.0.1.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WRITEUP VERIFIED
by hyp3rlinx · textlocalwindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40865

This is a detailed writeup describing a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Apache CouchDB v2.0.0 due to insecure file permissions on the 'nssm.exe' executable. Authenticated users can replace the executable to gain SYSTEM privileges when the service restarts.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache CouchDB v2.0.0
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access to the system · Authenticated user privileges
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40865/
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94766

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0204
EPSS Percentile 78.6%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (1)
apache/couchdb 2.0.0
Published Feb 12, 2018
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026