CVE-2026-38992
Published: 29 April 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-38992 is a critical-severity Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in Felsec (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 34.3th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-38992 affects Cockpit v2.13.5 and earlier versions, enabling arbitrary code execution through the filter parameter in multiple endpoints. The vulnerability stems from improper handling that allows attackers to utilize the MongoLite $func operator to execute system commands on the underlying infrastructure. It is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this vulnerability with low complexity and no user interaction required. Successful exploitation grants remote code execution, allowing full control over the affected system, including high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability through arbitrary command execution.
Mitigation is addressed in Cockpit version 2.14.0, as outlined in the project's GitHub release notes. Further technical details on this and related vulnerabilities in Cockpit CMS 2.13.5 are available in the advisory published by felsec.com.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-26232
Vulnerability details
Cockpit v2.13.5 and earlier is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via the filter parameter within multiple endpoints. This vulnerability allows an attacker to run system commands on the underlying infrastructure via the MongoLite $func operator.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is a remote unauthenticated RCE in a public-facing web application (Cockpit CMS) via filter parameter abuse, directly enabling T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application). Successful exploitation allows arbitrary system command execution on the host, directly facilitating T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Enforces validation and sanitization of filter parameters to prevent injection of malicious MongoLite $func operators leading to arbitrary code execution.
Mandates timely patching of known flaws like CVE-2026-38992 by upgrading to Cockpit v2.14.0, directly eliminating the vulnerability.
Boundary protection with web application firewalls filters malicious filter parameters at external interfaces, blocking unauthenticated remote exploits.