CVE-2025-32975 Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Improper Authentication Vulnerability
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) contains an improper authentication vulnerability that could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users without valid credentials.
From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.
Should You Worry?
- CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 20 Apr 2026.
- Rated Critical severity (CVSS 10.0, scored by CISA).
- This product type is often exposed to the internet, which is where attackers scan for it first.
- It has been in the catalogue for 200 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
What It Is
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) 13.0.x before 13.0.385, 13.1.x before 13.1.81, 13.2.x before 13.2.183, 14.0.x before 14.0.341 (Patch 5), and 14.1.x before 14.1.101 (Patch 4) contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users without valid credentials. The vulnerability exists in the SSO authentication handling mechanism and can lead to complete administrative takeover.
What To Do Now
- 1
Find it
Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA). Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.
Attack Surface Management - 2
Fix it
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Vulnerability Management - 3
Hunt for compromise
If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.
Incident Response - 4
Prove it is fixed
Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.
Penetration Testing
The Compliance Clock
General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.
Not Sure If You Are Exposed?
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