CVE-2026-2624: Epati Antikor NGFW Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2026-2624 Overview

CVE-2026-2624 is a Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability (CWE-306) affecting ePati Cyber Security Technologies Inc. Antikor Next Generation Firewall (NGFW). This authentication bypass vulnerability allows attackers to access critical firewall functions without proper authentication, potentially compromising the entire network perimeter security.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms in the Antikor NGFW, potentially gaining unauthorized access to critical firewall management functions and compromising network security.

Affected Products

• ePati Antikor Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) versions from v.2.0.1298 before v.2.0.1301

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-25 - CVE-2026-2624 published to NVD
• 2026-02-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-2624

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to missing authentication controls for critical functions within the ePati Antikor Next Generation Firewall. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive firewall management interfaces and functions that should require proper credentials.

Next-generation firewalls are critical security infrastructure components that protect organizational networks from external threats. When authentication controls are missing from such devices, attackers can potentially modify firewall rules, disable security features, access sensitive configuration data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further network intrusion.

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network and requires no user interaction or prior privileges, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing deployments.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-2624 is CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function. This weakness occurs when the software does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes significant resources. In this case, the Antikor NGFW fails to properly enforce authentication requirements for accessing critical management functions.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw by directly accessing critical firewall functions without providing valid credentials. The attack does not require user interaction, making automated exploitation feasible.

Since no verified code examples are available for this vulnerability, organizations should refer to the USOM Security Advisory TR-26-0082 for detailed technical information about the vulnerability and exploitation mechanics.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-2624

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected or unauthorized access to firewall management interfaces from external IP addresses
• Anomalous API calls or management requests without corresponding authentication events
• Firewall configuration changes without associated authenticated administrator sessions
• Unusual network traffic patterns originating from or directed at the NGFW management plane

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for missing authentication events preceding administrative actions
• Implement network-based detection for direct access attempts to management interfaces from untrusted networks
• Deploy intrusion detection signatures to identify exploitation attempts targeting the authentication bypass
• Audit firewall configuration changes and correlate with authenticated user sessions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on all Antikor NGFW management interfaces
• Configure alerting for any administrative actions that lack corresponding authentication records
• Monitor network traffic to management interfaces for suspicious patterns
• Implement centralized log collection to detect exploitation attempts across multiple devices

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-2624

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade affected ePati Antikor NGFW appliances to version v.2.0.1301 or later immediately
• Restrict network access to firewall management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only
• Implement additional network segmentation to isolate management plane traffic
• Review firewall configurations and logs for signs of unauthorized access or modification

Patch Information

ePati Cyber Security Technologies Inc. has addressed this vulnerability in Antikor Next Generation Firewall version v.2.0.1301. Organizations should update all affected installations from versions v.2.0.1298 through v.2.0.1300 to the patched release. Refer to the USOM Security Advisory TR-26-0082 for official vendor guidance.

Workarounds

• Restrict management interface access to trusted internal networks using ACLs or firewall rules
• Implement VPN requirements for all remote administrative access to NGFW appliances
• Deploy additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication at the network level
• Monitor and alert on all access attempts to management interfaces until patching is complete

# Example: Restrict management interface access to trusted admin network
# Apply on upstream network device or host-based firewall
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.100.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP