CVE-2026-123033
Authentication bypass in the HA heartbeat origin check in middlewared in TrueNAS SCALE before 25.10.8 (and in release trains before their respective fixes) allows an attacker on the same network segment to achieve unauthenticated full-administrator API access and execute commands as root. middlewared registers the HA peer-authentication hook (ha_permission) unconditionally, with no failover-licence or heartbeat-interface check. An unauthenticated connection whose TCP peer address is a hardcoded HA heartbeat address (169.254.10.1 or 169.254.10.2) and whose peer port is <= 1024 is granted a node credential that is authorized for every API method and treated as full administrator. Both conditions are properties of the attacker's own socket, and thus an attacker on the same layer-2 segment satisfies them without forging anything. The hook is present on non-HA, unlicensed, single-node Community Edition installations. The fix additionally requires that the connection terminate on the HA heartbeat listener (a local address/port the attacker cannot control).
Executive briefing
The source record describes: Authentication bypass in the HA heartbeat origin check in middlewared in TrueNAS SCALE before 25.10.8 (and in release trains before their respective fixes) allows an attacker on the same network segment to achieve unauthenticated full-administrator API access and execute commands as root. middlewared registers the HA peer-authentication hook (ha_permission) unconditionally, with no failover-licence or heartbeat-interface check. An unauthenticated connection whose TCP peer address is a hardcoded HA heartbeat address (169.254.10.1 or 169.254.10.2) and whose peer port is <= 1024 is granted a node credential that is authorized for every API method and treated as full administrator. Both conditions are properties of the attacker's own socket, and thus an attacker on the same layer-2 segment satisfies them without forging anything. The hook is present on non-HA, unlicensed, single-node Community Edition installations. The fix additionally requires that the connection terminate on the HA heartbeat listener (a local address/port the attacker cannot control). The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.
Evidence confidence: Low Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Technical explanation & impact
The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.
Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.
Weakness classification
CWE-290Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://security.truenas.com/scale/impact-statements/ha-node-auth-bypass/ REFERENCE cve@mitre.org
Information gaps & confidence notes
These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.
- NVD does not currently provide machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this record.
- No vendor advisory or patch reference was identified in the supplied CVE references.
Last enrichment: 2026-11-06T09:32:22+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-11-05T07:17:26.207