CVE-2026-3194 identifies a security vulnerability in Chia Blockchain version 2.1.0, specifically within the RPC Server Master Passphrase Handler component. The affected functions, send_transaction and get_private_key, lack proper authentication mechanisms, allowing local attackers with limited privileges to invoke these functions without verifying their identity. This missing authentication flaw could enable unauthorized local users to send transactions or retrieve private keys, potentially compromising wallet security. However, the attack vector is limited to local access, meaning an attacker must already have some level of access to the host system. The complexity to exploit this vulnerability is high, and the exploitability is difficult, indicating that successful exploitation requires significant skill or conditions. The vendor was notified early but rejected the bug bounty report, stating that the design assumes users are responsible for securing their hosts. The CVSS 4.0 score is low (2.0), reflecting the limited attack vector and difficulty. No patches or mitigations have been officially released, and no known exploits are currently active in the wild. This vulnerability highlights the importance of host-level security controls when using Chia Blockchain 2.1.0, as the RPC interface does not enforce authentication for critical operations locally.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential unauthorized local execution of sensitive blockchain operations, including sending transactions and accessing private keys. If an attacker gains local access to a system running Chia Blockchain 2.1.0, they could exploit this flaw to compromise wallet integrity, leading to unauthorized fund transfers or theft of private keys. This could result in financial loss and erosion of trust in the blockchain platform. However, since the attack requires local access and has high complexity, the risk is mitigated for organizations with strong host security. The vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation, limiting its scope. Organizations with multi-user environments or shared systems where local access controls are weak are at higher risk. Overall, the impact is significant for affected hosts but limited in scale due to the restricted attack vector and difficulty.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement strict host security controls, including limiting local user access to trusted personnel only. Employing strong operating system-level authentication, role-based access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts is critical. Running the Chia Blockchain node within isolated environments such as containers or virtual machines with restricted user permissions can reduce exposure. Additionally, disabling or restricting RPC server access on hosts where it is not needed can minimize risk. Regularly auditing user accounts and processes on the host system will help detect potential misuse. Since the vendor has not provided a patch, users should consider upgrading to later versions if available or applying custom authentication wrappers around the RPC interface. Finally, educating users about the importance of host security in blockchain environments is essential to prevent exploitation.