CVE-2026-26369 in eNet SMART HOME server
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2026
eNet SMART HOME server 2.2.1 and 2.3.1 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability due to insufficient authorization checks in the setUserGroup JSON-RPC method. A low-privileged user (UG_USER) can send a crafted POST request to /jsonrpc/management specifying their own username to elevate their account to the UG_ADMIN group, bypassing intended access controls and gaining administrative capabilities such as modifying device configurations, network settings, and other smart home system functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2026
This vulnerability exists within the eNet SMART HOME server software version 2.2.1 and 2.3.1 where the setUserGroup JSON-RPC method fails to properly validate user authorization levels. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and access control enforcement mechanisms that allow any authenticated user with UG_USER privileges to manipulate the system's permission structure. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious user crafts a specially formatted POST request to the /jsonrpc/management endpoint, specifically targeting the setUserGroup method with their own username parameter to escalate their privileges. This represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and principle of least authority. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and improper privilege management, making it a direct descendant of well-established security weaknesses that have plagued many networked systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal reconnaissance and can be executed through standard web-based interfaces without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge of the underlying system architecture.
The operational impact of this privilege escalation vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within smart home environments. Once successfully exploited, the low-privileged user gains complete administrative control over the entire smart home ecosystem, including but not limited to the ability to modify device configurations, adjust network settings, manage user accounts, and potentially access sensitive personal data. This administrative access enables attackers to manipulate the security posture of the entire system, potentially creating backdoors, disabling security features, or exfiltrating information from connected IoT devices. The implications extend beyond simple access control violations as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access points within home networks, making it particularly dangerous for residential and commercial deployments. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to complete system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors or exploitation techniques. The ability to escalate privileges through a JSON-RPC interface indicates a fundamental flaw in the system's security architecture that affects the core authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most critical immediate action is to implement proper input validation and authorization checks within the setUserGroup method, ensuring that only users with existing administrative privileges can modify user group memberships. This involves enforcing strict access control lists that validate the requesting user's current privileges against the target operation, implementing proper session management, and establishing audit trails for privilege changes. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as rate limiting on administrative API endpoints, mandatory multi-factor authentication for administrative functions, and regular security audits of JSON-RPC interfaces. From a defensive standpoint, network segmentation can help limit the impact of such vulnerabilities by isolating smart home systems from critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper security testing procedures including penetration testing and code reviews that specifically target authentication and authorization mechanisms. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 becomes crucial in preventing similar issues in future deployments. Additionally, implementing automated monitoring systems that can detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts and alert security personnel to potential exploitation attempts provides an additional layer of defense. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be established to ensure that such authorization bypass vulnerabilities are addressed promptly when discovered. The incident also underscores the need for security awareness training for developers working with networked systems, particularly regarding the importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of insufficient authorization checks.