Rocket.Chat: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-28514 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Rocket.Chat from RocketChat, 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 Rocket.Chat versions: < 7.8.6; < 7.9.8; < 7.10.7, 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 0.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Rocket.Chat you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RocketChat | Rocket.Chat | < 7.8.6; < 7.9.8; < 7.10.7; < 7.11.4; < 7.12.4; < 7.13.3; < 8.0.0 | 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
- 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 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Rocket.Chat is an open-source, secure, fully customizable communications platform. Prior to versions 7.8.6, 7.9.8, 7.10.7, 7.11.4, 7.12.4, 7.13.3, and 8.0.0, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Rocket.Chat's account service used in the ddp-streamer micro service that allows an attacker to log in to the service as any user with a password set, using any arbitrary password. The vulnerability stems from a missing await keyword when calling an asynchronous password validation function, causing a Promise object (which is always truthy) to be evaluated instead of the actual boolean validation result. This may lead to account takeover of any user whose username is known or guessable. This issue has been patched in versions 7.8.6, 7.9.8, 7.10.7, 7.11.4, 7.12.4, 7.13.3, and 8.0.0.
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
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in Rocket.Chat
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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