CVE-2026-33216: CWE-256: Plaintext Storage of a Password in nats-io nats-server
NATS-Server is a High-Performance server for NATS.io, a cloud and edge native messaging system. Prior to versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6, for MQTT deployments using usercodes/passwords: MQTT passwords are incorrectly classified as a non-authenticating identity statement (JWT) and exposed via monitoring endpoints. Versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.6 contain a fix. As a workaround, ensure monitoring end-points are adequately secured. Best practice remains to not expose the monitoring endpoint to the Internet or other untrusted network users.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
NATS-Server versions prior to 2.11.15 and 2.12.6 contain a vulnerability where MQTT passwords are misclassified as non-authenticating JWT identity statements and thus exposed through monitoring endpoints. This results in plaintext storage and potential unauthorized disclosure of MQTT passwords. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password) and CWE-213 (Information Exposure Through an Error Message or Log). The issue is resolved in versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6. Vendor advisories from Red Hat confirm the vulnerability and provide security updates.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows exposure of MQTT passwords in plaintext via monitoring endpoints, potentially enabling unauthorized access to MQTT services. The CVSS score of 8.6 (high severity) reflects the network attack vector with low complexity and no privileges required, resulting in high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in nats-server versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6. Users should upgrade to these or later versions to remediate the vulnerability. Until upgraded, it is recommended to secure monitoring endpoints by restricting access and not exposing them to the Internet or untrusted networks. Vendor advisories from Red Hat provide additional guidance and security updates.
CVE-2026-33216: CWE-256: Plaintext Storage of a Password in nats-io nats-server
Description
NATS-Server is a High-Performance server for NATS.io, a cloud and edge native messaging system. Prior to versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6, for MQTT deployments using usercodes/passwords: MQTT passwords are incorrectly classified as a non-authenticating identity statement (JWT) and exposed via monitoring endpoints. Versions 2.11.14 and 2.12.6 contain a fix. As a workaround, ensure monitoring end-points are adequately secured. Best practice remains to not expose the monitoring endpoint to the Internet or other untrusted network users.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.6high
Affected software
pkg:github/nats-io/nats-serverRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
NATS-Server versions prior to 2.11.15 and 2.12.6 contain a vulnerability where MQTT passwords are misclassified as non-authenticating JWT identity statements and thus exposed through monitoring endpoints. This results in plaintext storage and potential unauthorized disclosure of MQTT passwords. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password) and CWE-213 (Information Exposure Through an Error Message or Log). The issue is resolved in versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6. Vendor advisories from Red Hat confirm the vulnerability and provide security updates.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows exposure of MQTT passwords in plaintext via monitoring endpoints, potentially enabling unauthorized access to MQTT services. The CVSS score of 8.6 (high severity) reflects the network attack vector with low complexity and no privileges required, resulting in high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in nats-server versions 2.11.15 and 2.12.6. Users should upgrade to these or later versions to remediate the vulnerability. Until upgraded, it is recommended to secure monitoring endpoints by restricting access and not exposing them to the Internet or untrusted networks. Vendor advisories from Red Hat provide additional guidance and security updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-17T23:23:58.314Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-33216","vendor":"Red Hat"},{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22347","vendor":"Red Hat"},{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:21769","vendor":"Red Hat"},{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23345","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 69c43f15f4197a8e3b7dafdb
Added to database: 03/25/2026, 20:01:25 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 01:39:12 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:30:22 UTC
Views: 192
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