CVE-2026-71566: CWE-306 Missing authentication for critical function in openshift-metal3 fakefish
FakeFish handles incoming credentials by passing them down to scripts. This works for real hardware because in the end it's up to the BMC to validate them. However, KubeVirt relies on a KUBECONFIG file mounted to the container and completely ignores the credentials. This allows any user of the cluster to control VMs of the user that created fakefish, power them on and off, and mount arbitrary CD images to them.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability CVE-2026-71566 in openshift-metal3 fakefish involves missing authentication for critical functions (CWE-306). Fakefish relies on passing credentials to scripts, trusting hardware BMCs for validation. However, in KubeVirt, the KUBECONFIG file is mounted and credentials are ignored, enabling any cluster user to manipulate VMs owned by the fakefish user. This includes powering VMs on or off and mounting arbitrary CD images, leading to potential unauthorized VM control. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.3 (critical), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, scope change, no confidentiality impact, limited integrity impact, and high availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker with any access to the cluster can control virtual machines created by the fakefish user without authentication. This includes powering VMs on and off and mounting arbitrary CD images, which can disrupt availability and integrity of those VMs. There is no direct confidentiality impact reported. The vulnerability could lead to significant disruption of VM operations within the cluster.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary workaround is currently documented. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the cluster to trusted users only and monitor for unauthorized VM control attempts. Follow vendor advisories for updates on remediation.
CVE-2026-71566: CWE-306 Missing authentication for critical function in openshift-metal3 fakefish
Description
FakeFish handles incoming credentials by passing them down to scripts. This works for real hardware because in the end it's up to the BMC to validate them. However, KubeVirt relies on a KUBECONFIG file mounted to the container and completely ignores the credentials. This allows any user of the cluster to control VMs of the user that created fakefish, power them on and off, and mount arbitrary CD images to them.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.3critical
Affected software
pkg:github/openshift-metal3/fakefishRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability CVE-2026-71566 in openshift-metal3 fakefish involves missing authentication for critical functions (CWE-306). Fakefish relies on passing credentials to scripts, trusting hardware BMCs for validation. However, in KubeVirt, the KUBECONFIG file is mounted and credentials are ignored, enabling any cluster user to manipulate VMs owned by the fakefish user. This includes powering VMs on or off and mounting arbitrary CD images, leading to potential unauthorized VM control. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.3 (critical), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, scope change, no confidentiality impact, limited integrity impact, and high availability impact.
Potential Impact
An attacker with any access to the cluster can control virtual machines created by the fakefish user without authentication. This includes powering VMs on and off and mounting arbitrary CD images, which can disrupt availability and integrity of those VMs. There is no direct confidentiality impact reported. The vulnerability could lead to significant disruption of VM operations within the cluster.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary workaround is currently documented. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the cluster to trusted users only and monitor for unauthorized VM control attempts. Follow vendor advisories for updates on remediation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat-cnalr
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-07T12:08:03.283Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
Threat ID: 6a83334cbf8831d5392a440d
Added to database: 08/17/2026, 16:14:04 UTC
Last enriched: 08/17/2026, 16:20:48 UTC
Last updated: 08/18/2026, 01:01:55 UTC
Views: 5
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