CVE-2026-106030
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Local Privilege Escalation in NordVPN for Windows via Named Pipes

Publication date: 2026-10-16

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: CERT.PL

Description
NordVPN for Windows allows local attackers to stop unprotected Windows system services and change their startup type to Manual via named pipes. The NordVPN user-mode application allows a low-privileged attacker to act as a trusted process and connect to the named pipe "\\.\pipe\nord-security\v1\NordVpnService\Server". The attacker can then invoke the "ISettingsGrpc.StopService" and "ISettingsGrpc.ChangeServiceStartType" methods with an arbitrary service name, allowing them to stop any unprotected Windows service and change its startup type. This leads to denial of service of critical system services. Services protected by Windows (PPL processes, Windows Tamper Protection), such as Windows Defender, cannot be stopped or reconfigured. This issue was fixed in version 8.12

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Meta Information

Published
2026-10-16
Last Modified
2026-10-16
Generated
2026-10-19
AI Q&A
2026-10-16
EPSS Evaluated
2026-10-18
NVD
CVE-2026-106030
EUVD
EUVD-2026-102833

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
Nord Security NordVPN 0

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-863 The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check.

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in NordVPN for Windows allows a local attacker with low privileges to stop unprotected Windows system services or change their startup type to Manual by exploiting named pipes. The attacker connects to a specific named pipe and invokes methods to control services, causing denial of service for critical services. Protected services like Windows Defender are unaffected.

Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, check if NordVPN for Windows is installed and if the version is below 8.12. Look for unauthorized named pipe connections to \\.\pipe\nord-security\v1\NordVpnService\Server. Monitor Windows services for unexpected changes in startup type or service stops.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could stop essential system services, disrupting normal operations. This may lead to system instability, loss of security features, or inability to access critical applications. However, services protected by Windows mechanisms remain secure.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could potentially impact compliance with GDPR or HIPAA by enabling unauthorized local attackers to disrupt critical Windows system services. Stopping services like Windows Defender or others under Tamper Protection is not possible, but unprotected services could be disabled, potentially compromising system security and data protection measures required by these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Update NordVPN for Windows to version 8.12 or later immediately. Ensure Windows Tamper Protection is enabled for critical services like Windows Defender. Review service configurations for unauthorized changes and restrict access to named pipes.

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