CVE-2026-82276 Overview
CVE-2026-82276 is an authentication bypass vulnerability affecting StarRocks through version 4.0.13. Five REST handler classes in the frontend HTTP service override the execute() method directly instead of implementing executeWithoutPassword(). This design flaw skips the base class authentication gate enforced by RestBaseAction. Unauthenticated attackers with network access to the frontend HTTP port can reach six REST endpoints. The exposed endpoints disclose cluster topology, database metadata, Java Virtual Machine (JVM) statistics, and version information. The weakness is classified as Missing Authentication for Critical Function [CWE-306].
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can enumerate StarRocks cluster metadata, database structure, and runtime information without credentials, providing reconnaissance data for follow-on attacks.
Affected Products
- StarRocks through version 4.0.13
- StarRocks Frontend (FE) HTTP service
- RestBaseAction-derived handler classes including ShowMetaInfoAction
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-28 - CVE-2026-82276 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-08-31 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-82276
Vulnerability Analysis
StarRocks uses a base class, RestBaseAction, to centralize authentication for REST endpoints on the frontend HTTP port. The base class exposes an executeWithoutPassword() extension point that handlers should implement when routing requests through the authentication gate. Five handler subclasses instead override execute() directly. This bypasses the credential check performed by the parent class.
As a result, six REST endpoints accept requests from any network client without validating credentials. The exposed data includes cluster topology, database and table metadata, JVM runtime statistics, and version details. While the exposure does not modify data or affect availability, it gives attackers structured information about the deployment. Reconnaissance output of this quality accelerates targeting of downstream vulnerabilities or misconfigurations in the StarRocks environment.
Root Cause
The root cause is an inheritance contract violation. RestBaseAction centralizes authentication, but subclasses that override execute() short-circuit the parent implementation. Because the handlers never delegate to executeWithoutPassword(), the authentication check never runs. The handlers therefore process requests as if authentication had succeeded [CWE-306].
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires only network reachability to the StarRocks frontend HTTP port. An attacker sends unauthenticated HTTP requests to the affected endpoints, including the metadata endpoint served by ShowMetaInfoAction. The server returns cluster topology, database metadata, JVM statistics, or version data in the response body. No user interaction, tokens, or session state are required. See the VulnCheck Security Advisory and GitHub Issue #75747 for details on the affected handlers.
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Stop Identity AttacksDetection Methods for CVE-2026-82276
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP GET requests to StarRocks frontend REST endpoints exposing metadata, topology, or JVM information
- Access log entries showing successful 200 OK responses to the ShowMetaInfoAction endpoint from clients that never authenticated
- Requests to the frontend HTTP port originating from IP addresses outside the expected administrative network range
Detection Strategies
- Audit StarRocks frontend HTTP access logs for anonymous requests to REST paths handled by classes overriding execute() directly
- Inspect network flow data for repeated connections to the frontend HTTP port from non-administrative sources
- Compare requester identities against expected service accounts and administrator accounts to flag unauthenticated calls
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward StarRocks frontend access logs into a centralized log platform and alert on unauthenticated metadata retrievals
- Baseline normal REST usage patterns and flag deviations in request volume or source IP diversity
- Monitor for reconnaissance sequences that pair StarRocks metadata retrieval with subsequent database or infrastructure probes
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-82276
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the StarRocks frontend HTTP port so that only trusted administrative networks can reach it
- Place the frontend HTTP service behind an authenticating reverse proxy or gateway that enforces credentials before forwarding requests
- Review access logs since deployment for unauthenticated calls to the affected REST endpoints and rotate any exposed operational secrets referenced in the disclosed metadata
Patch Information
No fixed release is documented in the enriched CVE data at this time. Track the upstream fix through the StarRocks GitHub repository and GitHub Issue #75747. Refer to RestBaseAction.java and ShowMetaInfoAction.java in the 4.0.13 source tree to confirm which handlers remain affected in a given deployment.
Workarounds
- Block external access to the StarRocks frontend HTTP port using host firewalls, security groups, or network policies
- Terminate HTTP traffic at a reverse proxy that enforces authentication and forwards only authorized requests to StarRocks
- Disable or remove exposure of the affected REST endpoints where operationally feasible until an official patch is applied
# Example: restrict StarRocks frontend HTTP port to an administrative CIDR using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8030 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8030 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
