CVE-2026-90451 Use of Default Credentials in Malcolm
Attackers can forge authentication cookies for the packet-analysis component if the default secret in the example configuration is not regenerated during setup.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-90451?
CVE-2026-90451 is a high-severity vulnerability in CISA Malcolm, published on 11 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official 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.
Weakness: CWE-1392
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-90451?
How do I fix CVE-2026-90451?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-90451 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-90451 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-90451 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jf96-h34q-q5qw.