CVE-2026-21767: CWE-306 Missing authentication for critical function in HCLSoftware BigFix Platform
CVE-2026-21767 is a medium severity vulnerability in HCLSoftware's BigFix Platform versions 11. 0. 0 through 11. 0. 5. It involves missing authentication for a critical function, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive parts of the application without proper authentication. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a CVSS score of 4. 0, indicating limited confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching or applying mitigations to prevent unauthorized access.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-21767 identifies a vulnerability in the HCLSoftware BigFix Platform versions 11.0.0 through 11.0.5, characterized by insufficient authentication controls (CWE-306) on a critical function within the application. This flaw allows unauthenticated users to access sensitive areas of the BigFix console or platform functions that should normally require authentication. The vulnerability arises from missing or inadequate authentication checks, potentially exposing sensitive configuration or operational controls to unauthorized actors. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, reflecting a local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), limited confidentiality impact (C:L), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized information disclosure. BigFix is widely used for endpoint management, patching, and security automation, making this vulnerability significant in environments relying on it for IT operations. The absence of authentication on critical functions could allow attackers to gather sensitive information or potentially prepare for further attacks. The vulnerability was reserved in early 2026 and published in April 2026, with no patches currently linked, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in progress.
Potential Impact
The primary impact of CVE-2026-21767 is unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the BigFix Platform, potentially exposing configuration details, system information, or operational controls that could aid attackers in reconnaissance or lateral movement. While the vulnerability does not directly allow modification or disruption of services, the confidentiality breach can compromise organizational security posture. Enterprises relying on BigFix for endpoint management and security automation may face increased risk of information leakage, which could facilitate subsequent targeted attacks or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The local attack vector limits exploitation to users with network access to the BigFix console or platform, reducing the attack surface but still posing a significant risk in poorly segmented or exposed environments. The lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation by internal or network-adjacent attackers. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in the platform's security controls and lead to compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Restrict network access to the BigFix Platform console and management interfaces using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted administrators only. 2. Implement strict access control policies and monitor access logs for unusual or unauthorized attempts to access sensitive functions. 3. Apply the principle of least privilege to all users and service accounts interacting with BigFix to reduce potential attack vectors. 4. Regularly audit and review BigFix configuration and user permissions to detect and remediate any misconfigurations. 5. Engage with HCLSoftware support and monitor official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider deploying additional authentication layers such as VPNs or multi-factor authentication around the BigFix management interfaces to add defense-in-depth. 7. Conduct internal penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on BigFix to identify any related weaknesses. 8. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving unauthorized access to management platforms.
Affected Countries
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, Netherlands, Singapore
CVE-2026-21767: CWE-306 Missing authentication for critical function in HCLSoftware BigFix Platform
Description
CVE-2026-21767 is a medium severity vulnerability in HCLSoftware's BigFix Platform versions 11. 0. 0 through 11. 0. 5. It involves missing authentication for a critical function, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive parts of the application without proper authentication. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a CVSS score of 4. 0, indicating limited confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching or applying mitigations to prevent unauthorized access.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-21767 identifies a vulnerability in the HCLSoftware BigFix Platform versions 11.0.0 through 11.0.5, characterized by insufficient authentication controls (CWE-306) on a critical function within the application. This flaw allows unauthenticated users to access sensitive areas of the BigFix console or platform functions that should normally require authentication. The vulnerability arises from missing or inadequate authentication checks, potentially exposing sensitive configuration or operational controls to unauthorized actors. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, reflecting a local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), limited confidentiality impact (C:L), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized information disclosure. BigFix is widely used for endpoint management, patching, and security automation, making this vulnerability significant in environments relying on it for IT operations. The absence of authentication on critical functions could allow attackers to gather sensitive information or potentially prepare for further attacks. The vulnerability was reserved in early 2026 and published in April 2026, with no patches currently linked, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in progress.
Potential Impact
The primary impact of CVE-2026-21767 is unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the BigFix Platform, potentially exposing configuration details, system information, or operational controls that could aid attackers in reconnaissance or lateral movement. While the vulnerability does not directly allow modification or disruption of services, the confidentiality breach can compromise organizational security posture. Enterprises relying on BigFix for endpoint management and security automation may face increased risk of information leakage, which could facilitate subsequent targeted attacks or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The local attack vector limits exploitation to users with network access to the BigFix console or platform, reducing the attack surface but still posing a significant risk in poorly segmented or exposed environments. The lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation by internal or network-adjacent attackers. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in the platform's security controls and lead to compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Restrict network access to the BigFix Platform console and management interfaces using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted administrators only. 2. Implement strict access control policies and monitor access logs for unusual or unauthorized attempts to access sensitive functions. 3. Apply the principle of least privilege to all users and service accounts interacting with BigFix to reduce potential attack vectors. 4. Regularly audit and review BigFix configuration and user permissions to detect and remediate any misconfigurations. 5. Engage with HCLSoftware support and monitor official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider deploying additional authentication layers such as VPNs or multi-factor authentication around the BigFix management interfaces to add defense-in-depth. 7. Conduct internal penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focused on BigFix to identify any related weaknesses. 8. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving unauthorized access to management platforms.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- HCL
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-05T16:07:58.367Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69cdb370e6bfc5ba1d0f6370
Added to database: 4/2/2026, 12:08:16 AM
Last enriched: 4/2/2026, 12:23:19 AM
Last updated: 4/2/2026, 1:13:56 AM
Views: 10
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