CVE-2026-5269: CWE-1393 Use of default password in CIENA Navigator NCS
In Ciena's Navigator Network Control Suite (NCS) and Manage Control Plan (MCP), there are hidden system accounts used for internal software operations. Some of these accounts have default passwords that may be predictable. While these accounts have very limited permissions on their own, an attacker could combine an attack using one of these accounts with other potential weaknesses to launch a more significant attack, possibly leading to escalation of privilege on the system.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Ciena Navigator NCS 8.1 involves the use of hidden system accounts with default passwords. Although these accounts have very limited permissions, an attacker who gains access to them might combine this with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. No CVSS score or official remediation guidance is currently available.
Potential Impact
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain initial access through predictable default passwords on hidden system accounts. While these accounts alone have limited permissions, they could be used as a stepping stone in a multi-stage attack to escalate privileges on the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix or guidance is provided by Ciena, restrict access to affected systems, change default passwords if possible, and monitor for suspicious activity related to these accounts.
CVE-2026-5269: CWE-1393 Use of default password in CIENA Navigator NCS
Description
In Ciena's Navigator Network Control Suite (NCS) and Manage Control Plan (MCP), there are hidden system accounts used for internal software operations. Some of these accounts have default passwords that may be predictable. While these accounts have very limited permissions on their own, an attacker could combine an attack using one of these accounts with other potential weaknesses to launch a more significant attack, possibly leading to escalation of privilege on the system.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.8critical
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in Ciena Navigator NCS 8.1 involves the use of hidden system accounts with default passwords. Although these accounts have very limited permissions, an attacker who gains access to them might combine this with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. No CVSS score or official remediation guidance is currently available.
Potential Impact
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain initial access through predictable default passwords on hidden system accounts. While these accounts alone have limited permissions, they could be used as a stepping stone in a multi-stage attack to escalate privileges on the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix or guidance is provided by Ciena, restrict access to affected systems, change default passwords if possible, and monitor for suspicious activity related to these accounts.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Ciena
- Date Reserved
- 2026-03-31T19:44:35.713Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a56bcac68715ace4355d8ff
Added to database: 07/14/2026, 22:48:12 UTC
Last enriched: 07/14/2026, 23:03:11 UTC
Last updated: 08/14/2026, 00:41:13 UTC
Views: 83
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