CVE-2026-64623 in Network-AI
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2026
Network-AI before 5.13.4 contains an improper cryptographic signature verification vulnerability in APSAdapter where the default local verifier accepts any non-empty string as valid. Unauthenticated attackers can submit forged APS delegation payloads with arbitrary scopes to bypass signature verification and obtain signed permission-grant tokens for sensitive resources including SHELL_EXEC.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2026
The vulnerability exists within Network-AI versions prior to 5.13.4 in the APSAdapter component where the cryptographic signature verification mechanism fails to properly validate authentication tokens. This weakness stems from an inadequate implementation of the local verifier that accepts any non-empty string as valid without proper cryptographic validation, creating a fundamental security flaw that undermines the entire authentication framework. The issue manifests specifically in the delegation payload processing where forged requests can be crafted and accepted by the system without proper verification of the digital signatures.
This improper cryptographic signature verification vulnerability represents a critical weakness that aligns with CWE-327, which addresses broken or weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system by submitting maliciously constructed APS delegation payloads containing arbitrary scopes that bypass the signature verification process entirely. The vulnerability specifically targets the token generation mechanism where legitimate permission-grant tokens can be obtained without proper authentication, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to critical system functions including shell execution capabilities. When combined with the ability to forge delegation payloads, attackers can request tokens with extensive scopes that include SHELL_EXEC permissions, effectively granting them elevated privileges within the system without proper authorization. This creates a pathway for complete system compromise where malicious actors can execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, and potentially move laterally within network environments.
The security implications extend beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential data breaches and system exploitation through the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and execution tactics. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform unauthorized code execution, escalate their privileges to administrative levels, and maintain persistent access through forged tokens that appear legitimate to the system's verification mechanisms. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Network-AI face significant risk of unauthorized access to network infrastructure, particularly in environments where shell execution capabilities are present.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of Network-AI installations to version 5.13.4 or later where the cryptographic signature verification has been properly implemented. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual delegation payload patterns and establish proper access controls that limit the scope of tokens issued. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing robust signature validation that properly verifies cryptographic integrity rather than accepting arbitrary strings, thereby ensuring that only legitimate requests can obtain valid permission-grant tokens for sensitive resources.