libssh Local MITM via Insecure Default Config on Windows
CVE-2025-14821 Published on April 7, 2026
Libssh: libssh: insecure default configuration leads to local man-in-the-middle attacks on windows
A flaw was found in libssh. This vulnerability allows local man-in-the-middle attacks, security downgrades of SSH (Secure Shell) connections, and manipulation of trusted host information, posing a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of SSH communications via an insecure default configuration on Windows systems where the library automatically loads configuration files from the C:\etc directory, which can be created and modified by unprivileged local users.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-14821 can be exploited with local system access, and requires small amount of user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be very high.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public. 55 days later.
Weakness Type
What is a DLL preloading Vulnerability?
The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.
CVE-2025-14821 has been classified to as a DLL preloading vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2025-14821
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Affected Versions
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: Red Hat Hardened Images: Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4:Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.