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N-able N-central EUVDEUVD-2026-51918

| CVE-2026-18556 HIGH
Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel (CWE-288)
2026-08-01 a5532a13-c4dd-4202-bef1-e0b8f2f8d12b
8.2
CVSS 4.0 · Vendor: a5532a13-c4dd-4202-bef1-e0b8f2f8d12b
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Identify reachable N-central instance
  2. Exploit
    Enumerate alternate API or management paths
  3. Execution
    Send unauthenticated request to bypass auth
  4. Impact
    Access protected confidential data

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Alternate path authentication
Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires network-level access to the N-central management interface (AV:N). The AC:H metric indicates that identifying the specific alternate authentication path or channel is a non-trivial prerequisite - exploitation is not a straightforward credential-bypass but requires knowledge of the unprotected route. No authentication is required (PR:N) and no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The vulnerability is limited to confidentiality impact (VC:H, VI:N, VA:N), meaning exploitation does not yield write or destructive access based on the reported CVSS vector. The specific alternate path, protocol, or endpoint that enables the bypass is not disclosed in the available data. Exploitation is constrained to N-central versions through 2026.1; the precise deployment configuration that triggers exposure (e.g., whether all deployment modes or only specific installation profiles are vulnerable) is not confirmed from the sparse description.

Impact

The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.2 is driven primarily by the high confidentiality impact (VC:H) and network accessibility (AV:N) with no authentication requirement (PR:N). However, the AC:H metric is a meaningful attenuating factor - successful exploitation requires the attacker to identify and leverage a specific non-obvious alternate path, implying it is not trivially scriptable against arbitrary targets without prior reconnaissance. No EPSS data was provided, no KEV listing exists, and no POC is identified, all of which reduce near-term mass-exploitation risk. SSVC signals are mixed: the technical impact is significant (auth bypass on an RMM platform with high confidentiality access), but the automatable dimension is unclear - AC:H suggests exploitation is not broadly automated. The primary real-world risk is targeted attacks against specific MSP N-central deployments, where a successful bypass could expose monitored customer endpoint data or administrative credentials. The lack of a vendor security advisory URL (the only reference is a status page) is a notable data quality gap that limits confidence in scoping.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with network access to an internet-exposed or reachable N-central instance identifies an alternate URL path or internal API endpoint - such as a management servlet or legacy interface - that is not protected by the primary authentication layer. By sending crafted requests directly to this alternate path, the attacker bypasses login controls and retrieves sensitive data, potentially including managed endpoint configurations, stored credentials, or customer inventory data. No public exploit code has been identified, and the AC:H rating suggests this requires non-trivial reconnaissance or specific knowledge of the alternate path.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity.
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) 1 PoC candidate (unverified) No patch listed yet 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Aug 01, 2026

Authentication bypass in N-able N-central through version 2026.1 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to circumvent authentication controls via an alternate path or channel (CWE-288), resulting in high confidentiality impact against the vulnerable system. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H) indicates exploitation requires elevated attack complexity but no credentials, suggesting a non-trivial bypass technique such as direct access to an unauthenticated API endpoint or alternate URL path that bypasses the primary authentication gateway. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV.

RemediationAI

No vendor-released patch has been independently confirmed at time of analysis - the only provided reference (https://uptime.n-able.com/) is a service status page, not a security advisory. Organizations should monitor the N-able security advisories page and N-central release notes for a patched version beyond 2026.1. As compensating controls pending a patch, restrict N-central management interface access to known MSP operator IP ranges via network ACLs or firewall rules to reduce the exposure surface for network-based bypass attempts; this directly addresses the AV:N vector. Additionally, review network segmentation to ensure N-central is not internet-facing without a VPN or jump-host boundary, given that AC:H exploitation still requires network reachability. Enabling enhanced authentication logging on the platform can help detect anomalous access patterns indicative of bypass attempts. These controls reduce but do not eliminate risk - a patch from N-able remains the authoritative remediation.

Affected VersionsENISA

N-central 0 ≤2026.1

Affected Packages

euvd n_central no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

N-able N-central is an enterprise Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform widely deployed by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to manage client endpoints. CWE-288 - Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel - describes a class of vulnerabilities where an application enforces authentication on its primary interface but exposes a secondary access path (such as a direct internal API endpoint, an unauthenticated management servlet, or a legacy protocol interface) that bypasses the authentication layer entirely. This is distinct from credential-based bypass and typically requires knowledge of the alternate route. The affected scope is N-central through version 2026.1; no CPE string was included in the provided data, and the sole reference points only to the N-able service status page (uptime.n-able.com), not a formal security advisory.

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Severity by source

Vendor (a5532a13-c4dd-4202-bef1-e0b8f2f8d12b) PRIMARY 8.2 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
ENISA EUVD HIGH
vuln.today AI 5.9 MEDIUM

Network vector and no-auth are confirmed; AC:H reflects the non-trivial alternate-path discovery requirement; no integrity or availability impact per the CVSS 4.0 VC:H/VI:N/VA:N mapping.

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (a5532a13-c4dd-4202-bef1-e0b8f2f8d12b).

CVSS VectorVendor: a5532a13-c4dd-4202-bef1-e0b8f2f8d12b

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
None
Vulnerable system: Availability
None
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Added to CISA KEV
Aug 04, 2026 - 17:16 CISA
CVE Published
Aug 01, 2026 - 20:16 cve.org
HIGH 8.2

DescriptionCVE.org

Authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in N-able N-central allows Authentication Bypass.

This issue affects N-central: through 2026.1.

Latest POC

1 PoC candidate from github (unverified)

Sign in to open the public PoC links collected for this CVE.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

N-able N-central versions through 2026.1 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability allowing unauthenticated external attackers to access management infrastructure without credentials, posing risk to operational visibility and system control. No public exploit is currently identified and no vendor patch is available, requiring immediate deployment of interim protective controls.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Network segmentation isolating N-central from untrusted zones; access control lists and VPN requirements limiting administrative connectivity to known IP ranges; Web Application Firewall or reverse proxy rules preventing requests to alternate authentication endpoints; comprehensive logging and real-time alerting for authentication attempts and suspicious API access patterns; regular access reviews to detect unauthorized system changes; credential rotation following discovery of unauthorized access. Establish communication with vendor for patch timeline.

Threat Model

3 threats: Elevation of Privilege, Information Disclosure, Tampering

4-step attack chain with trust boundaries and controls

Full threat model - attack chain, trust boundaries, controls per stage and evidence - is part of the Pro and Business plans.

Threat Intelligence Overview

Threat Score
4.6/10
Composite threat intelligence
EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 81% exploitable
Prevalence
Medium
widely deployed RMM platform among MSPs managing enterprise clients
Threat Intel
1
1 sources
Social Media
3
Sightings
Data Quality
9 sources
Confidence: High

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV Yes
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.3%
Patch available No
Active threat Yes
Deciding rule
Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Partial

Priority Score

116
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: +50
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +41
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: +5

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

CVE-2026-86218 CRITICAL POC
10.0 Sep 06

Pre-authentication remote code execution in N-able N-central before 2026.3.1.14 allows unauthenticated remote attackers

CVE-2026-18577 HIGH POC
8.2 Aug 02

Authentication bypass and account takeover in N-able N-central through version 2026.3.1 stem from an incomplete remediat

CVE-2025-11700 HIGH POC
8.4 Nov 12

N-able N-central remote monitoring and management platform versions before 2025.4 contain multiple XML External Entity i

CVE-2025-8876 CRITICAL
9.4 Aug 14

N-able N-central before 2025.3.1 contains an OS command injection through improper input validation, companion vulnerabi

CVE-2025-8875 CRITICAL
9.4 Aug 14

N-able N-central before 2025.3.1 contains a deserialization vulnerability allowing local code execution through crafted

CVE-2024-28200 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Jul 01

The N-central server is vulnerable to an authentication bypass of the user interface. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2020-15909 HIGH POC
8.8 Oct 19

SolarWinds N-central through 2020.1 allows session hijacking and requires user interaction or physical access. Rated hig

CVE-2026-86207 HIGH POC
7.7 Sep 05

Authentication bypass in N-able N-central before version 2026.3 HF 3 permits low-privileged authenticated users to acces

CVE-2020-7984 HIGH POC
7.5 Jan 26

SolarWinds N-central before 12.1 SP1 HF5 and 12.2 before SP1 HF2 allows remote attackers to retrieve cleartext domain ad

CVE-2026-86206 MEDIUM POC
6.9 Sep 05

Unauthenticated remote access to restricted internal APIs is possible in N-able N-central due to an incomplete access co

CVE-2025-11367 CRITICAL
10.0 Nov 12

The N-central Software Probe < 2025.4 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via deserialization. Rated critical severit

CVE-2025-11366 CRITICAL
9.4 Nov 12

N-central < 2025.4 is vulnerable to authentication bypass via path traversal. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this v

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