CVE-2025-40554
SolarWinds Web Help Desk
SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to an authentication bypass vulnerability that, if exploited, could allow an attacker to invoke specific actions within Web Help Desk.
Ransomware groups exploiting CVE-2025-40554
Qilin ransomware was first observed in July of 2022. Qilin Ransomware is written in Golang and supports multiple encryption modes; all of which are controlled by the operator. Qilin actors practice double extortion – demanding payment for a decryptor, as well
Exploitation is attributed to these groups across their recorded activity. It does not follow that every organisation they listed was reached through CVE-2025-40554 — the source data does not record an entry point per incident.
Exploitation status
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 60.6%, which is higher than 99.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Recent listings by these groups
Disclosures from the groups above, newest first.
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2025-40554 being exploited by ransomware groups?
Yes. CVE-2025-40554 is recorded as exploited by Qilin. Between them these groups account for 2,294 victim disclosures in this database.
What does CVE-2025-40554 affect?
CVE-2025-40554 affects SolarWinds Web Help Desk. SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to an authentication bypass vulnerability that, if exploited, could allow an attacker to invoke specific actions within Web Help Desk.
How severe is CVE-2025-40554?
CVE-2025-40554 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 9.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 60.6%, higher than 99.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is not currently in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2025-40554?
Apply the vendor patch for SolarWinds Web Help Desk as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.