sim: Improper Authentication
CVE-2025-15099 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in sim from SimStudioAI, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected sim versions: 0.5.0; 0.5.1; 0.5.2, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.79% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 57% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of sim you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simstudioai | sim | 0.5.0; 0.5.1; 0.5.2; 0.5.3; 0.5.4; 0.5.5; 0.5.6; 0.5.7; and 20 more ranges | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.5 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.3 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability was identified in simstudioai sim up to 0.5.27. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file apps/sim/lib/auth/internal.ts of the component CRON Secret Handler. The manipulation of the argument INTERNAL_API_SECRET leads to improper authentication. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used. The identifier of the patch is e359dc2946b12ed5e45a0ec9c95ecf91bd18502a. Applying a patch is the recommended action to fix this issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- vuldb.com/?id.338430Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.710255Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- gist.github.com/H2u8s/c533741e1b36f6245d41cace89a7f4d2Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- gist.github.com/H2u8s/c533741e1b36f6245d41cace89a7f4d2#-steps-to-reproduceExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.338430Permissions Required, VDB Entry
Other vulnerabilities in sim
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
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