CVE-2026-16895

{"dataType": "CVE_RECORD", "dataVersion": "5.2", "cveMetadata": {"cveId": "CVE-2026-16895", "assignerOrgId": "9974b330-7714-4307-a722-5648477acda7", "state": "PUBLISHED", "assignerShortName": "rapid7", "dateReserved": "2026-07-24T05:29:02.405Z", "datePublished": "2026-08-27T03:14:21.055Z", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T13:09:40.173Z"}, "containers": {"cna": {"providerMetadata": {"orgId": "9974b330-7714-4307-a722-5648477acda7", "shortName": "rapid7", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T03:14:21.055Z"}, "title": "Authentication Bypass in Metasploit JSON-RPC Service When DB Health Check Fails", "problemTypes": [{"descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "cweId": "CWE-305", "description": "CWE-305 Authentication bypass by primary weakness", "type": "CWE"}]}], "impacts": [{"capecId": "CAPEC-115", "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CAPEC-115 Authentication Bypass"}]}], "affected": [{"vendor": "Rapid7", "product": "Metasploit-framework", "packageName": "JSON-RPC", "repo": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/cd8cd0a52b519072bde513304c2a351a6f499b30/lib/msf/core/web_services/json_rpc_app.rb", "versions": [{"status": "affected", "version": "0", "lessThan": "6.5.2", "versionType": "custom"}], "defaultStatus": "unaffected"}], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A logic vulnerability (fail-open condition) has been identified within the Metasploit Framework's JSON-RPC web service interface. When an exception occurs during the database health check (db.check) and the environment variable MSF_WS_JSON_RPC_API_TOKEN is not explicitly set, the application resets the internal state flag msf.auth_initialized to false. The ApiToken Warden authentication strategy misinterprets this false value as an indicator that authentication is not initialized or required, thereby granting unauthenticated local access to the JSON-RPC request dispatcher.", "supportingMedia": [{"type": "text/html", "base64": false, "value": "A logic vulnerability (fail-open condition) has been identified within the Metasploit Framework's JSON-RPC web service interface. When an exception occurs during the database health check (<code>db.check</code>) and the environment variable <code>MSF_WS_JSON_RPC_API_TOKEN</code> is not explicitly set, the application resets the internal state flag <code>msf.auth_initialized</code> to <code>false</code>. The <code>ApiToken</code> Warden authentication strategy misinterprets this <code>false</code> value as an indicator that authentication is not initialized or required, thereby granting unauthenticated local access to the JSON-RPC request dispatcher."}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/pt-metasploit-wrap-up-lot-of-summer-shells-and-fit-http-profiles/", "tags": ["vendor-advisory"]}, {"url": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/21768", "tags": ["patch"]}], "metrics": [{"format": "CVSS", "scenarios": [{"lang": "en", "value": "GENERAL"}], "cvssV4_0": {"attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "attackRequirements": "NONE", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "userInteraction": "NONE", "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "subConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "subIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED", "Safety": "NOT_DEFINED", "Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED", "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED", "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED", "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED", "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED", "version": "4.0", "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "baseScore": 5.1, "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N"}}], "credits": [{"lang": "en", "value": "Jaime Cavero", "type": "reporter"}], "source": {"discovery": "EXTERNAL"}, "x_generator": {"engine": "Vulnogram 1.0.4"}}, "adp": [{"metrics": [{"other": {"type": "ssvc", "content": {"timestamp": "2026-08-27T13:09:31.706546Z", "id": "CVE-2026-16895", "options": [{"Exploitation": "none"}, {"Automatable": "no"}, {"Technical Impact": "partial"}], "role": "CISA Coordinator", "version": "2.0.3"}}}], "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment", "providerMetadata": {"orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "shortName": "CISA-ADP", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T13:09:40.173Z"}}]}}

{"dataType": "CVE_RECORD", "containers": {"adp": [{"title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment", "metrics": [{"other": {"type": "ssvc", "content": {"id": "CVE-2026-16895", "role": "CISA Coordinator", "options": [{"Exploitation": "none"}, {"Automatable": "no"}, {"Technical Impact": "partial"}], "version": "2.0.3", "timestamp": "2026-08-27T13:09:31.706546Z"}}}], "providerMetadata": {"orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "shortName": "CISA-ADP", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T13:09:37.142Z"}}], "cna": {"title": "Authentication Bypass in Metasploit JSON-RPC Service When DB Health Check Fails", "source": {"discovery": "EXTERNAL"}, "credits": [{"lang": "en", "type": "reporter", "value": "Jaime Cavero"}], "impacts": [{"capecId": "CAPEC-115", "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CAPEC-115 Authentication Bypass"}]}], "metrics": [{"format": "CVSS", "cvssV4_0": {"Safety": "NOT_DEFINED", "version": "4.0", "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED", "baseScore": 5.1, "Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED", "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N", "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED", "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED", "userInteraction": "NONE", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "attackRequirements": "NONE", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "subIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "subConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"}, "scenarios": [{"lang": "en", "value": "GENERAL"}]}], "affected": [{"repo": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/cd8cd0a52b519072bde513304c2a351a6f499b30/lib/msf/core/web_services/json_rpc_app.rb", "vendor": "Rapid7", "product": "Metasploit-framework", "versions": [{"status": "affected", "version": "0", "lessThan": "6.5.2", "versionType": "custom"}], "packageName": "JSON-RPC", "defaultStatus": "unaffected"}], "references": [{"url": "https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/pt-metasploit-wrap-up-lot-of-summer-shells-and-fit-http-profiles/", "tags": ["vendor-advisory"]}, {"url": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/21768", "tags": ["patch"]}], "x_generator": {"engine": "Vulnogram 1.0.4"}, "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A logic vulnerability (fail-open condition) has been identified within the Metasploit Framework's JSON-RPC web service interface. When an exception occurs during the database health check (db.check) and the environment variable MSF_WS_JSON_RPC_API_TOKEN is not explicitly set, the application resets the internal state flag msf.auth_initialized to false. The ApiToken Warden authentication strategy misinterprets this false value as an indicator that authentication is not initialized or required, thereby granting unauthenticated local access to the JSON-RPC request dispatcher.", "supportingMedia": [{"type": "text/html", "value": "A logic vulnerability (fail-open condition) has been identified within the Metasploit Framework's JSON-RPC web service interface. When an exception occurs during the database health check (<code>db.check</code>) and the environment variable <code>MSF_WS_JSON_RPC_API_TOKEN</code> is not explicitly set, the application resets the internal state flag <code>msf.auth_initialized</code> to <code>false</code>. The <code>ApiToken</code> Warden authentication strategy misinterprets this <code>false</code> value as an indicator that authentication is not initialized or required, thereby granting unauthenticated local access to the JSON-RPC request dispatcher.", "base64": false}]}], "problemTypes": [{"descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "type": "CWE", "cweId": "CWE-305", "description": "CWE-305 Authentication bypass by primary weakness"}]}], "providerMetadata": {"orgId": "9974b330-7714-4307-a722-5648477acda7", "shortName": "rapid7", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T03:14:21.055Z"}}}, "cveMetadata": {"cveId": "CVE-2026-16895", "state": "PUBLISHED", "dateUpdated": "2026-08-27T13:09:40.173Z", "dateReserved": "2026-07-24T05:29:02.405Z", "assignerOrgId": "9974b330-7714-4307-a722-5648477acda7", "datePublished": "2026-08-27T03:14:21.055Z", "assignerShortName": "rapid7"}, "dataVersion": "5.2"}

{"affected": [{"affectedData": [{"defaultStatus": "unaffected", "packageName": "JSON-RPC", "product": "Metasploit-framework", "repo": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/cd8cd0a52b519072bde513304c2a351a6f499b30/lib/msf/core/web_services/json_rpc_app.rb", "vendor": "Rapid7", "versions": [{"lessThan": "6.5.2", "status": "affected", "version": "0", "versionType": "custom"}]}], "source": "cve@rapid7.com"}], "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A logic vulnerability (fail-open condition) has been identified within the Metasploit Framework's JSON-RPC web service interface. When an exception occurs during the database health check (db.check) and the environment variable MSF_WS_JSON_RPC_API_TOKEN is not explicitly set, the application resets the internal state flag msf.auth_initialized to false. The ApiToken Warden authentication strategy misinterprets this false value as an indicator that authentication is not initialized or required, thereby granting unauthenticated local access to the JSON-RPC request dispatcher."}], "id": "CVE-2026-16895", "lastModified": "2026-08-28T21:17:10.720", "metrics": {"cvssMetricV40": [{"cvssData": {"Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED", "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED", "Safety": "NOT_DEFINED", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "attackRequirements": "NONE", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "availabilityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "baseScore": 5.1, "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "confidentialityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED", "integrityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackComplexity": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackRequirements": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackVector": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedPrivilegesRequired": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedUserInteraction": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED", "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "subConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "subIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "userInteraction": "NONE", "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED", "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X", "version": "4.0", "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "LOW", "vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW", "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"}, "source": "cve@rapid7.com", "type": "Secondary"}], "ssvcV203": [{"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "ssvcData": {"id": "CVE-2026-16895", "options": [{"exploitation": "none"}, {"automatable": "no"}, {"technicalImpact": "partial"}], "role": "CISA Coordinator", "timestamp": "2026-08-27T13:09:31.706546Z", "version": "2.0.3"}}]}, "published": "2026-08-27T04:16:41.530", "references": [{"source": "cve@rapid7.com", "url": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/21768"}, {"source": "cve@rapid7.com", "url": "https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/pt-metasploit-wrap-up-lot-of-summer-shells-and-fit-http-profiles/"}], "sourceIdentifier": "cve@rapid7.com", "vulnStatus": "Awaiting Analysis", "weaknesses": [{"description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-305"}], "source": "cve@rapid7.com", "type": "Secondary"}]}

{}

{"affected": [{"configurations": [{"platform": null, "status": "affected", "versions": {"scheme": "generic", "value": "[0,6.5.2)"}}], "enrichment": {"confidence": 83.0, "confidence_source": "matching", "scores": [{"score": 83.0, "source": "matching"}]}, "original": {"product": "Metasploit-framework", "source": "cna", "vendor": "Rapid7"}, "product": "metasploit_framework", "vendor": "metasploit"}], "created": "2026-08-27T05:30:07.488878+00:00", "updated": "2026-09-01T14:23:22.824620+00:00", "vendors": ["metasploit", "metasploit$PRODUCT$metasploit_framework"]}