meta-ads-mcp: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-48039 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in meta-ads-mcp from Pipeboard-co, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected meta-ads-mcp versions: < 1.0.109. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.59% 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 meta-ads-mcp 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipeboard-co | meta-ads-mcp | < 1.0.109 | 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Meta Ads MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that lets AI assistants run Meta Ads. Prior to version 1.0.109, `AuthInjectionMiddleware.dispatch()` at `http_auth_integration.py:272` unconditionally forwards unauthenticated Streamable HTTP requests to downstream MCP tool handlers without issuing a `401` response, allowing any network-reachable caller to invoke MCP tools without authentication. When no per-request credential is present, tool handlers fall back to the `META_ACCESS_TOKEN` environment variable, and when the downstream Meta Graph API call fails, `api.py:263–269` serialises the raw `httpx` request URL—including the operator's `access_token` as a query parameter—into the JSON-RPC response body, delivering the credential to the unauthenticated caller. Version 1.0.109 fixes the 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: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in meta-ads-mcp
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Apple macOS Improper Authentication Exploited
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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