CVE-2026-117570 in nmap-mcp
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2026
Vorota-ai nmap-mcp through commit 3636afa contains an improper allowlist validation vulnerability in the scan_vulnerabilities tool that lets callers run blocked NSE script categories. MCP clients or prompt-injected agents can pass categories like exploit, dos, brute, or intrusive to nmap --script, running intrusive, brute-force, exploit, or denial-of-service scripts against scan targets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability identified in Vorota-ai's nmap-mcp integration through commit 3636afa represents a critical failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the scan_vulnerabilities tool. This flaw stems from an improper allowlist implementation that fails to adequately filter or restrict the categories of Network Scripting Engine scripts passed to the underlying Nmap utility. In secure software design, when integrating powerful system utilities like Nmap with external interfaces such as Model Context Protocol clients or AI agents, it is imperative to enforce strict parameter constraints. The current implementation allows callers to bypass intended restrictions by supplying script category arguments that were explicitly meant to be blocked. This lack of rigorous validation creates a direct path for unauthorized execution of high-risk scanning operations, undermining the security posture and operational safety controls established by the application developers.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in how the allowlist logic processes input parameters before they are forwarded to Nmap's --script argument. The vulnerability permits the injection of categories such as exploit, dos, brute, or intrusive into the command line execution context. These specific categories correspond to scripts designed for aggressive network behavior. Exploit scripts attempt to verify vulnerabilities by potentially triggering malicious code on target systems. Denial-of-service scripts aim to overwhelm targets with traffic, while brute-force and intrusive scripts are used for credential guessing and deep service enumeration respectively. By allowing these categories through the allowlist validation layer, the application effectively neutralizes any defensive boundaries intended to prevent destructive or overly aggressive scanning activities against designated scan targets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly in environments where automated agents or external clients interact with security tools. MCP clients or prompt-injected AI agents can exploit this flaw to execute scripts that may cause service disruptions on target infrastructure. The execution of denial-of-service scripts can lead to temporary unavailability of critical services, impacting business continuity and user experience. Furthermore, the use of brute-force and intrusive scripts increases network noise significantly, which can trigger intrusion detection systems and alert security operations centers unnecessarily. More critically, exploit scripts pose a risk of unintended system compromise or instability if they interact with vulnerable software on the target hosts without proper authorization or isolation. This transforms a vulnerability scanning tool into a potential vector for disruption or unauthorized access verification that was not intended by the application's design.
This flaw aligns closely with CWE-20, which describes Improper Input Validation, as the system fails to verify that user-supplied input conforms to expected safe values before processing it. Additionally, the ability of an attacker or malicious agent to execute arbitrary commands via script categories relates to CWE-78, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with ATT&CK T1496, Remote System Enumeration, and potentially T1499, Endpoint Denial of Service, depending on the specific scripts executed. The lack of strict allowlisting also touches upon CWE-285, Improper Authorization, as it allows actions that should be restricted to privileged or controlled contexts.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate remediation is required to harden the input validation logic within the scan_vulnerabilities tool. Developers must implement a rigorous whitelist approach where only explicitly approved script categories are permitted for execution. Any category not present in this strict allowlist should be rejected with an appropriate error message rather than passed through to Nmap. It is also advisable to sanitize and validate all inputs at multiple layers, including the API boundary and the command construction layer. Implementing parameterized commands or using libraries that safely handle argument escaping can further reduce the risk of injection attacks. Additionally, logging should be enhanced to detect attempts to pass blocked categories, providing visibility into potential exploitation efforts. Regular security reviews of integration points between AI agents and system utilities are essential to prevent similar allowlist bypasses in future updates.