CVE-2026-111322 in Archon
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2026
Archon 0.2.13 through 0.11.1 contains a missing authentication vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to access the /api/* control API, which binds to 0.0.0.0 by default. Attackers with network access can send messages to the AI coding agent, which runs with bypassPermissions, to execute commands on the host as the Archon user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2026
The vulnerability identified in Archon versions ranging from 0.2.13 through 0.11.1 represents a critical security failure characterized by missing authentication mechanisms within its application programming interface. The core of this flaw lies in the configuration and exposure of the /api/* control endpoint, which is bound to all network interfaces (0.0.0.0) by default rather than being restricted to localhost or requiring explicit authorization tokens. This architectural decision effectively exposes sensitive administrative controls to any entity capable of reaching the host over the network, eliminating the primary barrier against unauthorized access and allowing unauthenticated actors to interact directly with the system's management layer without providing valid credentials.
From a technical perspective, this misconfiguration enables remote attackers who possess basic network connectivity to send arbitrary messages to an AI coding agent embedded within the Archon environment. The severity of this interaction is amplified by the execution context in which the agent operates; it runs with bypassPermissions enabled, granting it elevated privileges that exceed standard user constraints. Consequently, when an attacker injects malicious input into the API endpoint, the system processes these commands as if they originated from a trusted source with high-level authority, leading to arbitrary command execution on the host machine under the context of the Archon service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it facilitates remote code execution (RCE) without any form of authentication or user interaction beyond initial network access. An attacker can leverage this flaw to compromise the integrity and availability of the underlying system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement within a network, or complete control over the host environment depending on the privileges assigned to the Archon user account. This scenario aligns with CWE-287, which describes Improper Authentication, as well as CWE-434, Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type if file execution is involved, though in this case, the primary concern is unrestricted command execution via an unauthenticated API interface.
In terms of threat modeling and adversary behavior, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically allowing for remote code execution through a network service. The attack vector falls under Remote Code Execution (T1210) or potentially Exploitation for Credential Access if the executed commands are designed to harvest sensitive information from the host system. The lack of authentication combined with high-privilege execution creates an ideal scenario for automated exploitation tools, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for attackers seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of Archon.
To mitigate this risk, immediate remediation is required by updating Archon to a version where these permissions and network bindings are corrected or removed entirely if not needed externally. Administrators should enforce strict authentication requirements on all API endpoints, ensuring that the /api/* routes require valid tokens or certificates before processing any requests. Additionally, binding services only to localhost (127.0.0.1) unless external access is explicitly required and secured via a reverse proxy with proper TLS termination and access controls can prevent direct network exposure. Implementing principle of least privilege by removing bypassPermissions from the AI coding agent's execution context will further limit the potential damage even if an attacker manages to inject malicious commands, ensuring that any executed actions are constrained within safe operational boundaries.