CVE-2026-7042 Overview
A missing authentication vulnerability has been identified in 666ghj MiroFish versions up to 0.1.2. This security flaw affects the create_app function within the backend/app/__init__.py file of the REST API Endpoint component. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected API endpoints.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this missing authentication flaw to access protected REST API endpoints without proper credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and manipulation.
Affected Products
- 666ghj MiroFish versions up to 0.1.2
- REST API Endpoint component (backend/app/__init__.py)
- Systems using the affected create_app function
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-26 - CVE-2026-7042 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7042
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-287 (Improper Authentication), indicating a fundamental flaw in how the application validates user identity. The affected create_app function in the REST API Endpoint fails to properly enforce authentication requirements, allowing unauthenticated users to access protected resources.
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. While the impact is limited to low confidentiality, integrity, and availability breaches for each individual exploitation, the ease of remote exploitation makes this a significant concern for deployments exposed to untrusted networks.
An exploit for this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the urgency for affected organizations to implement mitigations.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in the create_app function located in backend/app/__init__.py. This function, responsible for initializing the Flask application and configuring REST API endpoints, fails to implement proper authentication checks. As a result, API endpoints that should require authenticated sessions can be accessed by any remote user.
Attack Vector
The attack can be launched remotely over the network. Attackers can directly interact with the REST API endpoints without providing valid authentication credentials. The vulnerability requires no special privileges or user interaction to exploit, making it accessible to opportunistic attackers scanning for vulnerable instances.
The exploitation mechanism involves sending crafted HTTP requests directly to the unprotected API endpoints. Technical details regarding the specific exploitation technique can be found in the GitHub Issue Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7042
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual API access patterns from unauthenticated sources
- HTTP requests to sensitive endpoints lacking authentication headers
- Access logs showing successful API calls without corresponding authentication events
- Unexpected data modifications or access from external IP addresses
Detection Strategies
- Monitor REST API access logs for requests missing authentication tokens or session identifiers
- Implement anomaly detection for API calls that bypass normal authentication workflows
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to flag unauthenticated access attempts to protected endpoints
- Enable verbose logging on the create_app function to capture initialization and authentication events
Monitoring Recommendations
- Establish baseline metrics for authenticated vs. unauthenticated API traffic
- Configure alerts for sudden increases in unauthenticated API requests
- Review application logs regularly for authentication bypass indicators
- Implement real-time monitoring of the backend/app/__init__.py module behavior
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7042
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to MiroFish API endpoints using firewall rules
- Implement additional authentication layers (e.g., API gateway authentication) in front of the affected service
- Audit API access logs for signs of prior exploitation
- Consider temporarily disabling exposed endpoints until a patch is available
Patch Information
As of the last update on 2026-04-29, the MiroFish project maintainers have been notified through a GitHub issue but have not yet responded. No official patch is currently available. Organizations should monitor the MiroFish repository for security updates.
Additional vulnerability details are available through VulDB.
Workarounds
- Deploy a reverse proxy with authentication enforcement in front of MiroFish API endpoints
- Implement IP-based access controls to restrict API access to trusted networks only
- Add custom authentication middleware to the Flask application to protect vulnerable routes
- Consider implementing OAuth2 or JWT-based authentication as an additional security layer
# Example: Restrict API access using iptables
# Allow only trusted IP ranges to access the MiroFish API port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5000 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5000 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
