CVE-2026-13510 Overview
CVE-2026-13510 is a weak cryptographic hash vulnerability [CWE-327] affecting SimStudioAI sim versions up to and including 0.6.92. The flaw resides in the Password Protection Handler component, implemented in the apps/sim/lib/core/security/deployment.ts library file. An unspecified operation in this module uses a cryptographically weak hash function to protect passwords, allowing remote attackers to potentially recover or forge protected credentials. Exploitation is remote but requires high attack complexity. A public exploit has been disclosed, and a pull request addressing the issue is pending merge upstream.
Critical Impact
Weak password hashing in deployment protection can allow attackers to recover plaintext passwords or bypass password-protected deployments through offline cracking or brute-force attacks.
Affected Products
- SimStudioAI sim versions up to 0.6.92
- Component: Password Protection Handler in apps/sim/lib/core/security/deployment.ts
- Deployments relying on password-protected access controls in sim
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-28 - CVE-2026-13510 published to NVD
- 2026-06-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13510
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability originates from the use of a weak hash algorithm within the Password Protection Handler of SimStudioAI sim. The component located at apps/sim/lib/core/security/deployment.ts processes password material through a hashing routine that does not meet modern cryptographic standards. Weak hash functions such as MD5 or SHA-1, or unsalted fast hashes without adaptive work factors, allow adversaries to conduct rapid offline attacks against captured hash values.
The issue is classified under [CWE-327], Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. Even though the network attack path exists, exploitation carries high complexity because the attacker must first obtain the stored hash or intercept protected material. The public exploit and pending upstream pull request confirm the technical feasibility.
Root Cause
The root cause is the selection of a cryptographically weak or non-adaptive hash primitive to protect password data at the deployment layer. Password protection routines should employ memory-hard, salted, adaptive functions such as Argon2id, scrypt, or bcrypt. Using a fast general-purpose hash makes brute-force and dictionary attacks computationally cheap for an attacker who obtains the hash value.
Attack Vector
A remote attacker who acquires hashed password data from sim deployment resources can perform offline cracking against the weak hash. Successful recovery of the plaintext password permits access to password-protected workflows or deployments. The attack does not require authentication or user interaction, but the high complexity reflects the need to acquire hash material and complete the cracking process.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been made available in the enriched data. Refer to GitHub Issue #4759 and VulDB CVE-2026-13510 for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13510
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected access to password-protected sim deployments from unfamiliar IP addresses or user agents
- High-volume authentication attempts against deployment endpoints indicative of hash cracking followed by credential replay
- Presence of sim versions at or below 0.6.92 in the software inventory, particularly in the apps/sim/lib/core/security/deployment.ts code path
Detection Strategies
- Audit the sim codebase and dependencies to confirm which hash algorithm the Password Protection Handler uses, and flag any use of MD5, SHA-1, or unsalted SHA-2 for password protection
- Correlate authentication success events on password-protected deployments against known-good user and IP baselines to surface anomalous access
- Monitor version metadata across build artifacts and container images to identify vulnerable sim releases in production
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose authentication and deployment access logging within sim and forward events to a central log platform for retention and analysis
- Alert on repeated failed access attempts followed by a successful authentication against the same protected resource
- Track outbound activity from hosts running vulnerable sim builds to detect post-compromise data exfiltration attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13510
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all deployments running SimStudioAI sim version 0.6.92 or earlier and treat existing password-protected artifacts as potentially exposed
- Rotate every password used to protect sim deployments and invalidate any long-lived tokens derived from those passwords
- Restrict network access to sim management and deployment endpoints to trusted networks until a patched release is applied
Patch Information
As of the last modification date, the upstream fix is still pending. A pull request addressing the weak hash usage has been submitted at GitHub Pull Request #4760 and awaits acceptance. Monitor the SimStudioAI sim repository for the merged fix and upgrade to the first release that includes it. Additional tracking information is available at VulDB Vulnerability #374518.
Workarounds
- Place sim deployments behind an additional authentication layer such as a reverse proxy enforcing mutual TLS or single sign-on
- Use long, high-entropy passphrases for deployment protection to increase the cost of offline cracking against the weak hash
- Limit exposure of hashed password material by tightening file system permissions and access controls on sim configuration and state stores
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
