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CVE-2026-40165: Command Injection in Acme SecureVault

CVE explainers 2 min read
SR
Security Research Desk Expert reviewed
Threat intelligence · Human-verified · Updated 2026-05-21
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CISOBrief · 30-second brief

CVE-2026-40165 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability affecting Acme SecureVault versions 4.2.0 through 4.2.7. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root via the /api/v1/diag/ping endpoint without authentication. The vulnerability has been addressed in version 4.2.8, which is critical for maintaining security.

Vulnerability at a Glance

  • CVE ID: CVE-2026-40165
  • CVSS Score: 8.8 (High)
  • Attack Vector: Network
  • Authentication Required: No
  • Patch Status: Fixed in Acme SecureVault 4.2.8

TL;DR

  • Affected versions: Acme SecureVault 4.2.0 through 4.2.7.
  • Command injection vulnerability allows root RCE if the management interface is reachable.
  • Upgrade to 4.2.8 immediately and restrict access to the management interface.

What is this Vulnerability?

The root cause of CVE-2026-40165 is a classic shell-invocation mistake. The diagnostics service improperly processes user-controlled input, allowing crafted host parameters to execute arbitrary commands. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command.

The vendor’s advisory confirms that the vulnerable component is the web diagnostics service at /api/v1/diag/ping. The fix in version 4.2.8 includes removing shell execution and implementing strict input validation.

AnalystImpact · assess the risk

Who is Affected?

The vulnerability affects the following versions of the SecureVault Appliance: 4.2.0, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6, and 4.2.7. Users should upgrade to 4.2.8 as soon as possible to mitigate risks.

CVSS Score Breakdown and Risk Interpretation

The NVD assigns a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8, indicating high severity due to network reachability and low attack complexity. Notably, the vendor states no authentication is required, which increases the urgency for remediation.

Exploitation Status

As of now, CVE-2026-40165 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. However, this does not imply safety; the potential for exploitation remains high, and urgent remediation is necessary.

What Defenders Should Do Next

  1. Prioritize asset discovery for all SecureVault systems in the vulnerable range.
  2. Restrict network access to the management interface immediately.
  3. Upgrade to version 4.2.8.
  4. Monitor logs for any signs of exploitation attempts.

For further reading on vulnerability management, check out our glossary on what is TTP and encryption.

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ResponderRunbook · act now

Detection and Exposure Assessment

To assess exposure, identify all SecureVault appliances running 4.2.0 through 4.2.7 and check if the management interface is reachable. Monitor logs for any suspicious requests to the diagnostics endpoint, particularly those containing shell metacharacters.

Mitigation and Patching

The primary mitigation step is to upgrade any affected appliance to 4.2.8. If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict access to the management interface and disable diagnostics access where possible.

Technical Notes

For environments unable to patch immediately, consider implementing firewall rules to limit access to the management UI. Example:

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s <your_admin_subnet> --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP

Last verified: 2026-05-21

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