Sources: National Vulnerability Database, CVE.org, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS
CVE-2026-120442 Overview
ape-volo-admin before 3.6.1 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to forge administrator tokens using a hardcoded JWT signing key in appsettings.json. Attackers can sign tokens offline with the jti claim set to the seeded administrator id to gain full API control over users, roles, permissions and data.
Critical Impact
Affected Products
- ape-volo-admin: see the vendor advisory for the exact affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-11-02: CVE-2026-120442 published to the National Vulnerability Database by disclosure@vulncheck.com
- 2026-11-02: last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-120442
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-120442 is a Security Vulnerability weakness (CWE-1394) in ape-volo-admin. Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction.
With a CVSS base score of 9.3, apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Root Cause
The vendor description states: ape-volo-admin before 3.6.1 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to forge administrator tokens using a hardcoded JWT signing key in appsettings.json. Attackers can sign tokens offline with the jti claim set to the seeded administrator id to gain full API control over users, roles, permissions and data.
Attack Vector
Based on the CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Attack complexity is low complexity.
No exploitation in the wild is confirmed by CISA at the time of the last update. Check the references below for any vendor or researcher proof of concept.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-120442
Detection Strategies
- Inventory every instance of ape-volo-admin and compare the running version with the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner ships a check for this CVE.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward ape-volo-admin application, access and audit logs to your SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on new processes, configuration changes or outbound connections from the affected service.
- Track the vendor advisory and the CISA KEV catalog for changes in exploitation status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-120442
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version of ape-volo-admin named in the vendor advisory.
- Prioritize internet facing and business critical instances first.
- Rescan after the change to confirm the exposure is closed.
Patch Information
Use the fixed version listed in the vendor advisory for ape-volo-admin.
Workarounds
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and place it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
CWE References
Technical References
This entry is built directly from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS data. Verify fixed versions in the vendor advisory before you deploy.
Frequently asked questions
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