mcp-toolbox: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-14541 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in mcp-toolbox from Google, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected mcp-toolbox versions: 1.4.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.25% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of mcp-toolbox 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| mcp-toolbox | 1.4.0 | Not stated | |
| Mcp Toolbox For Databases | 1.4.0 | 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.0 | High | CNA (google.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
An authentication bypass and audience confusion vulnerability exists in the Google OAuth provider component of Google mcp-toolbox version 1.4.0. When a Google authService is initialized with mcpEnabled: true but lacks an explicitly defined audience or clientId, the ValidateMCPAuth pipeline for opaque tokens skips audience validation entirely. As a result, the toolbox will accept any valid Google OAuth access token—even those minted for unrelated ecosystem applications—granting unauthorized clients access to protected tools and data backends.
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: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/googleapis/mcp-toolbox/pull/3450Issue Tracking
Other vulnerabilities in mcp-toolbox
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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