CVE-2026-90451

Use of Default Credentials in Malcolm

Published Sep 11, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.2 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
An example environment-configuration file ships with a fixed, publicly-known secret value used to sign authentication cookies for a bundled packet-analysis component. A deployment that copies this example file into active configuration without running the setup routine that regenerates the value will use the known default, allowing an attacker aware of the default to forge valid authentication cookies for that component.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

The latest version of Malcolm (September 2026 or later) fixes these vulnerabilities. Affected users are encouraged to update their instance of Malcolm to the latest version.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Authentication Cookie Secret Enables Token Forgery in Packet-Analysis Component Use of Default Credentials in Malcolm
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Authentication Cookie Secret Enables Token Forgery in Packet-Analysis Component
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Fixed Secret in Example Configuration Enables Authentication Cookie Forgery for Packet‑Analysis Component
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Fixed Secret in Example Configuration Enables Authentication Cookie Forgery for Packet‑Analysis Component
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Malcolm Default Cookie Signing Secret Allows Authentication Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Cisagov
Cisagov malcolm
Vendors & Products Cisagov
Cisagov malcolm
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Malcolm Default Cookie Signing Secret Allows Authentication Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Cookie Signing Secret Allows Authentication Cookie Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Cookie Signing Secret Allows Authentication Cookie Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Secret Signing Key Lured into Production Enables Cookie Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Default Secret Signing Key Lured into Production Enables Cookie Forgery
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An example environment-configuration file ships with a fixed, publicly-known secret value used to sign authentication cookies for a bundled packet-analysis component. A deployment that copies this example file into active configuration without running the setup routine that regenerates the value will use the known default, allowing an attacker aware of the default to forge valid authentication cookies for that component.
Weaknesses CWE-1392
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
icscert
Published
Updated
Oct 2, 2026, 9:01 PM
Reserved
Sep 11, 2026, 9:00 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 11, 2026, 10:16 PM
Modified
Oct 2, 2026, 10:16 PM