CVE-2026-45776 in xdmod
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2026
OpenXDMoD is an open framework for collecting and analyzing HPC metrics. Prior to version 11.0.3, a flaw in Open XDMoD's access control logic allows an attacker to submit a crafted HTTPS POST request that sets a session variable used for authorization decisions. If an installation of Open XDMoD includes the optional Job Performance (SUPReMM) module, an attacker could bypass intended data access restrictions and view other users' compute job efficiency metrics. All deployments of Open XDMoD prior to version 11.0.3 that contain the optional Job Performance (SUPReMM) module are impacted. This issue was reported privately on 2026-04-06, and at this time there is no evidence that this vulnerability has been exploited in the wild. The vulnerability was patched in Open XDMoD 11.0.3 on 2026-05-12. As a workaround, apply the patch manually.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2026
The vulnerability in OpenXDMoD represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of high-performance computing environments where resource usage metrics are collected and analyzed. This issue stems from insufficient session variable validation within the application's authorization framework, creating a path for unauthorized data access that directly impacts the integrity of computational resource monitoring systems. The flaw specifically affects installations that utilize the optional Job Performance (SUPReMM) module, which provides detailed analytics on compute job efficiency metrics. Organizations relying on OpenXDMoD for managing HPC resources face significant risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched, as it enables attackers to bypass intended data access restrictions and obtain sensitive performance metrics belonging to other users within the same system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an attacker crafting a malicious HTTPS POST request that manipulates session variables used for authorization decisions. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, specifically representing a weakness where the application fails to properly validate session state information. The vulnerability exploits the application's trust in session variables without proper verification of their legitimacy, allowing an attacker to elevate privileges through session manipulation techniques. The attack vector specifically targets the session management component of OpenXDMoD, where authorization decisions are made based on session state variables that should remain protected from external manipulation. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and session management security flaws that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially compromise the entire HPC monitoring infrastructure. When an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they gain access to compute job efficiency metrics that may contain sensitive information about user workloads, resource utilization patterns, and system performance characteristics. This could enable adversaries to conduct reconnaissance activities, identify high-value targets, or even perform competitive analysis against other users within the same HPC environment. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in research institutions, government agencies, and enterprise environments where HPC resources are shared among multiple users and organizations, as it could lead to unauthorized access to proprietary computational data and intellectual property. The fact that this vulnerability was reported privately and had no known exploitation in the wild prior to patching suggests it represents a significant security gap that required immediate attention.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate deployment of the patched version 11.0.3, which addresses the session variable validation issue through proper authorization checks and input sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all OpenXDMoD installations are updated promptly, particularly those utilizing the SUPReMM module. The workaround of manual patch application should be considered only as a temporary measure while full patch deployment is underway, as it may not provide complete protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual session manipulation patterns and unauthorized access attempts, with logging mechanisms configured to track authorization decisions and session variable changes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation through session hijacking and unauthorized access to restricted data, requiring defensive measures that include proper session management controls, input validation, and continuous monitoring of access patterns to identify anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.