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CVE-2026-85428 – Unauthenticated Actuator/Variable Write via MOOSDB HTTP Server – MOOS core-moos ≤ 1

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Summary

CVE-2026-85428 is a missing authentication vulnerability (CWE-306) in the optional HTTP server built into MOOSDB, the message-passing database at the core of the MOOS (Mission Oriented Operating Suite) middleware used in robotics and autonomous vehicle (e.g., marine/underwater vehicle) systems. The HTTP interface accepts requests to "poke" (write) MOOS variables — including actuator and override commands — without requiring any credentials. The issue is rated CRITICAL (CVSS v3.1 9.8 / CVSS v4.0 9.3) because it allows any network-reachable, unauthenticated attacker to directly manipulate the control variables of a running MOOS-based system.

Technical details

  • Root cause: The MOOSDB HTTP server’s request handler (HandlePoke() in HTTPConnection.cpp, part of Core/libMOOS/DB/) parses VariableToPoke and NewValue parameters from incoming HTTP requests and writes the value directly into the MOOS database via Notify(), with no authentication, authorization, or access-control check performed anywhere in the request path.
  • Trigger conditions: The vulnerability is exploitable whenever the optional MOOSDB HTTP server component is enabled and reachable over the network (its default listening interface/port exposes this functionality).
  • Attack vector: Network — remote, unauthenticated attackers can send a simple crafted HTTP request specifying the target variable name and new value.
  • Impact: Because MOOS variables can represent actuator commands and safety overrides in robotic/autonomous platforms, successful exploitation allows an attacker to alter system state and potentially issue unauthorized actuator or override commands, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the controlled system.

Affected software

  • Vendor/Project: themoos
  • Product: core-moos
  • Affected versions: All versions through 10.4.0 (versions 0 – 10.4.0)

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
  • CVSS v3.1 Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • (An accompanying CVSS v4.0 score of 9.3, Critical, is also published: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N)

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Apply the upstream fix merged via pull request #77 to the themoos/core-moos repository (commit 7e3aecdbf5fe47980ea9399340c77940991a6fa5), which adds an authentication check to the HTTPConnection write/poke path. Upgrade to a version of core-moos that includes this fix once a formal release is available.
  • If patching is not immediately possible:
    • Disable the optional MOOSDB HTTP server component if it is not required for operations.
    • Restrict network access to the MOOSDB HTTP server/port to trusted hosts only (e.g., via firewall rules, network segmentation, or binding to localhost/internal management networks) so it is never reachable from untrusted or internet-facing networks.
    • Monitor for unexpected HTTP requests containing VariableToPoke/NewValue parameters against MOOSDB-hosting systems as an indicator of exploitation attempts.

References

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