N-able N-central <2026.3.1.14 - Pre-Authentication Remote Code Execution

id: CVE-2026-86218

info:
  name: N-able N-central <2026.3.1.14 - Pre-Authentication Remote Code Execution
  author: DhiyaneshDk
  severity: critical
  description: |
    N-able N-central versions before 2026.3.1.14 are vulnerable to pre-authentication remote code execution via static code injection (CWE-96). An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the N-central management interface can execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially compromising every managed endpoint under the platform's control. Huntress confirmed active in-the-wild exploitation. N-able's hosted (NCOD) instances were automatically patched, on-premises deployments require manual upgrade to 2026.3.1.14. The N-central build version is exposed pre-authentication in the login page JavaScript object (ncentralVersion), enabling reliable version-based detection.
  impact: |
    A successful exploit grants an unauthenticated attacker remote code execution on the N-central server with the service account's privileges, enabling full control of the N-central RMM platform and all managed endpoints, lateral movement to all customer networks managed by the MSP, credential harvesting from N-central's credential vault, and deployment of ransomware or backdoors across all managed infrastructure.
  remediation: |
    Upgrade N-central immediately to version 2026.3.1.14 (Hotfix 4) or later. Direct upgrade paths exist from builds 2025.4, 2026.1, 2026.2, 2026.3, and all 2026.3.1 hotfixes. Additionally restrict inbound access to N-central with IP allowlisting or VPN, audit N-central user accounts for unauthorized accounts (especially .invalid emails), and review appliance logs for evidence of pre-exploitation reconnaissance.
  reference:
    - https://me.n-able.com/s/security-advisory/aArVy00
    - https://www.huntress.com/blog/n-able-vulnerability-exploitation
    - https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86218
    - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/n-able-patches-max-severity-n-central-flaw-amid-ongoing-attacks/
    - https://forkast.news/n-able-n-central-cvss-10-0-pre-auth-rce-marks-third-attack-wave-in-six-weeks/
    - https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2026-86218
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
    cvss-score: 10.0
    cve-id: CVE-2026-86218
    epss-score: 0.15385
    epss-percentile: 0.9681
    cwe-id: CWE-96
  metadata:
    verified: true
    max-request: 1
    vendor: n-able
    product: n-central
    shodan-query: title:"N-central"
    fofa-query: title="N-central Login Redirect"
  tags: cve,cve2026,n-able,n-central,rce,unauth,static-code-injection,kev,vkev,passive

http:
  - raw:
      - |
        GET /login HTTP/1.1
        Host: {{Hostname}}

    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: dsl
        dsl:
          - 'contains(body, "ncentralVersion:")'
          - 'contains(body, "N-able N-central")'
        condition: and

      - type: dsl
        dsl:
          - 'compare_versions(nc_version, "< 2026.3.1.14")'

      - type: dsl
        dsl:
          - 'status_code == 200'

    extractors:
      - type: regex
        name: nc_version
        part: body
        internal: true
        group: 1
        regex:
          - 'ncentralVersion:\s*"([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+)"'

      - type: regex
        name: detected_version
        part: body
        group: 1
        regex:
          - 'ncentralVersion:\s*"([0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+)"'