CVE-2026-23846 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-598, which involves the use of the HTTP GET request method to transmit sensitive information—in this case, passwords—via URL query parameters. The affected product, tugtainer by Quenary, is a self-hosted application designed to automate Docker container updates. In versions prior to 1.16.1, the authentication mechanism sends passwords as part of the URL query string rather than within the HTTP request body or through a more secure method such as POST with encrypted payloads. This practice leads to multiple security risks: passwords are recorded in server access logs, which are often stored long-term and accessible to administrators or attackers who gain access; they may also be cached in browser history, exposed in Referer headers when navigating to other sites, and logged by intermediate proxies or network monitoring tools. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 (high severity), reflecting its ease of exploitation (no privileges required, network attack vector, user interaction needed) and the high impact on confidentiality and integrity. While no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the exposure of plaintext passwords in logs and headers presents a significant risk of credential compromise, potentially leading to unauthorized access to container management systems and downstream infrastructure. The issue is resolved in tugtainer version 1.16.1, which changes the authentication mechanism to avoid sending passwords in URL query parameters.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to the confidentiality of credentials used to manage Docker container updates. If exploited, attackers could retrieve passwords from logs or network captures, enabling unauthorized access to container orchestration environments. This could lead to container manipulation, deployment of malicious containers, or lateral movement within the network. The integrity of containerized applications could be compromised, potentially affecting business-critical services. Although availability is not directly impacted, the breach of credentials could facilitate further attacks that degrade service. Organizations in sectors with high container adoption—such as finance, manufacturing, and technology—face increased risk. Additionally, compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations may be jeopardized if sensitive authentication data is exposed, leading to legal and reputational consequences.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade tugtainer to version 1.16.1 or later, where the password transmission method is corrected. Organizations should audit existing server access logs, proxy logs, and browser histories for any leaked credentials and rotate any exposed passwords immediately. Access to logs should be restricted and monitored to prevent unauthorized access. Network security controls should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or credential use. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for container management interfaces can reduce the impact of credential compromise. Additionally, organizations should review and enforce secure coding and configuration practices to avoid transmitting sensitive data in URLs. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on container management tools are recommended to detect similar issues proactively.