6500 S-Series: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CVE-2026-5268 is a critical-severity authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in 6500 S-Series from CIENA, 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 6500 S-Series versions: R16.96 and prior. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.66% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 52% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of 6500 S-Series 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIENA | 6500 S-Series | R16.96 and prior | Not stated |
| CIENA | 6500 T-Series | R16.1 and prior | Not stated |
| CIENA | PTS | R16.1 and prior | Not stated |
| CIENA | CPL | R12.63 and prior | 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 CISA (ADP).
Official description
An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in the default SFTP server component utilized across the Ciena products listed. This vulnerability allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to the underlying filesystem. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to read or modify system files.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
The product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Funnel all access through a single choke point to simplify how users can access a resource. For every access, perform a check to determine if the user has permissions to access the resource.
More Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities (CWE-288)
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
Other references
Recent Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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