Fabric OS: Partial String Comparison
CVE-2026-94576 is a high-severity partial string comparison vulnerability in Fabric OS from Brocade, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 9.2.2d as the first without the flaw, so updating Fabric OS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% 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
- Update Fabric OS to 9.2.2d or a later version.
- Update Fabric Operating System to 9.2.2d or 10.0.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.broadcom.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brocade | Fabric OS | before 9.2.2d; 10.0.0 through 10.0.0a1 | 9.2.2d |
| Broadcom | Fabric Operating System | before 9.2.2d; 10.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.1 | 9.2.2d, 10.0.1 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.9 | Medium | CNA (brocade.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.0 | High | NVD |
Official description
An authentication logic and privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the account management interface of Brocade Fabric OS versions before 9.2.2d and 10.0.0 through 10.0.0a1. Under specific conditions, an authenticated user can bypass authorization restrictions intended to prevent modifying another account's access privileges. Exploitation allows a lower-privileged user to assign administrative roles to a target account, leading to localized privilege escalation.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Partial String Comparison
The product performs a string comparison that only examines a portion of the string before determining whether there is a match.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Thoroughly test the comparison scheme before deploying code into production. Perform positive testing as well as negative testing.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Fabric OS
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Partial String Comparison vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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