CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-85451NVD status: Analyzed

core-moos: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-85451 is a high-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in core-moos from Themoos, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected core-moos versions: 10.4.0 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of core-moos you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Themooscore-moos10.4.0 and earlierNot 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
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
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
LowSome restricted data can be read.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.07.1HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.1HighCNA (vulncheck.com)

Official description

MOOS core-moos through 10.4.0 contains a remote process termination vulnerability in the SuicidalSleeper component that uses a hard-coded passphrase for multicast command authorization. Any multicast-reachable peer can enumerate MOOS processes and send termination commands to trigger process shutdown by exploiting the default multicast group and port with the known passphrase.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
  • For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
  • If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.

More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other references

Other vulnerabilities in core-moos

All core-moos vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities

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