# GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh: @grackle-ai/powerline Runs Without Authentication by Default

> Attackers with network access can execute code and read credentials if the PowerLine gRPC server is exposed without authentication.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 25 Mar 2026

## What is GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh?

GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh is a missing authorization vulnerability in @grackle-ai/powerline, published on 25 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

### Impact

When `--token` is not provided and `GRACKLE_POWERLINE_TOKEN` is not set, the PowerLine gRPC server runs with **zero authentication**. A warning is logged (`"NO AUTH (development only)"`) but nothing prevents deployment in this state. Any client that can reach the PowerLine port can spawn agent sessions, access credential tokens, and execute code.

The default binding is `127.0.0.1` (loopback only), which limits exposure to the local machine. However, if PowerLine is accidentally exposed on a network (e.g., in a container or via port forwarding), the impact is critical.

**Affected code:**
- `packages/powerline/src/index.ts:46` — token defaults to empty string
- `packages/powerline/src/index.ts:63-76` — auth interceptor is only added when token is truthy

### Patches

0.70.1

**Fix:** Require an explicit `--no-auth` flag to run without authentication, rather than defaulting to no auth when the token is empty. Throw an error if starting without a token and without `--no-auth`.

### Workarounds

Always provide `--token` or set `GRACKLE_POWERLINE_TOKEN` when starting PowerLine. The Grackle server does this automatically when managing PowerLine lifecycle.

### Resources

- CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function
- File: `packages/powerline/src/index.ts`

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including @grackle-ai/powerline.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `@grackle-ai/powerline` | npm | All versions | 0.70.1 |
| `@grackle-ai/powerline` | npm | All versions | 0.70.1 |

## How do I fix GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh?

Upgrade @grackle-ai/powerline to 0.70.1 or later.

## Is GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh is a missing authorization vulnerability in @grackle-ai/powerline, published on 25 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- @grackle-ai/powerline (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.70.1
- @grackle-ai/powerline (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.70.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-xq7h-vwjp-5vrh/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.