Cyber Posture

CVE-2026-38992

Critical

Published: 29 April 2026

Published
29 April 2026
Modified
30 April 2026
KEV Added
—
Patch
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CVSS Score 9.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0010 27.6th percentile
Risk Priority 20 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Description

Cockpit v2.13.5 and earlier is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via the filter parameter within multiple endpoints. This vulnerability allows an attacker to run system commands on the underlying infrastructure via the MongoLite $func operator.

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match
prevent

Enforces validation and sanitization of filter parameters to prevent injection of malicious MongoLite $func operators leading to arbitrary code execution.

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Mandates timely patching of known flaws like CVE-2026-38992 by upgrading to Cockpit v2.14.0, directly eliminating the vulnerability.

SC-7 Boundary Protection partial match
prevent

Boundary protection with web application firewalls filters malicious filter parameters at external interfaces, blocking unauthenticated remote exploits.

Security SummaryAI

CVE-2026-38992 affects Cockpit v2.13.5 and earlier versions, enabling arbitrary code execution through the filter parameter in multiple endpoints. The vulnerability stems from improper handling that allows attackers to utilize the MongoLite $func operator to execute system commands on the underlying infrastructure. It is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this vulnerability with low complexity and no user interaction required. Successful exploitation grants remote code execution, allowing full control over the affected system, including high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability through arbitrary command execution.

Mitigation is addressed in Cockpit version 2.14.0, as outlined in the project's GitHub release notes. Further technical details on this and related vulnerabilities in Cockpit CMS 2.13.5 are available in the advisory published by felsec.com.

Details

CWE(s)
CWE-94

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Execution
Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries.
attack.mitre.org →
Why these techniques?

The vulnerability is a remote unauthenticated RCE in a public-facing web application (Cockpit CMS) via filter parameter abuse, directly enabling T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application). Successful exploitation allows arbitrary system command execution on the host, directly facilitating T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter).

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v18.1

References