CVE-2026-72533: CWE-287: Improper Authentication in Portainer Portainer CE
An authentication bypass vulnerability in Portainer CE through 2.44.0 allows authenticated low-privileged users to bypass Docker proxy authorization checks via non-canonical URL normalization, defeating all authorization middleware. The proxy endpoint fails to normalize request paths before applying access controls, allowing crafted requests to be interpreted differently by the proxy and the authorization layer. Successful exploitation grants the attacker root-level access to the underlying Docker host.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Portainer CE involves improper authentication due to the proxy endpoint not normalizing request paths before enforcing access controls. As a result, attackers with low privileges can craft requests that are interpreted differently by the proxy and the authorization layer, bypassing authorization checks. This leads to an authentication bypass (CWE-287) that allows escalation to root-level access on the Docker host. The issue affects Portainer CE versions up to 2.44.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with low-privileged authenticated access can bypass Docker proxy authorization checks and gain root-level access to the underlying Docker host. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system and containers managed by Portainer CE.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch links are provided at this time. Until a patch is available, restrict access to Portainer CE to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to proxy requests.
CVE-2026-72533: CWE-287: Improper Authentication in Portainer Portainer CE
Description
An authentication bypass vulnerability in Portainer CE through 2.44.0 allows authenticated low-privileged users to bypass Docker proxy authorization checks via non-canonical URL normalization, defeating all authorization middleware. The proxy endpoint fails to normalize request paths before applying access controls, allowing crafted requests to be interpreted differently by the proxy and the authorization layer. Successful exploitation grants the attacker root-level access to the underlying Docker host.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
pkg:github/portainer/portainerRun 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
This vulnerability in Portainer CE involves improper authentication due to the proxy endpoint not normalizing request paths before enforcing access controls. As a result, attackers with low privileges can craft requests that are interpreted differently by the proxy and the authorization layer, bypassing authorization checks. This leads to an authentication bypass (CWE-287) that allows escalation to root-level access on the Docker host. The issue affects Portainer CE versions up to 2.44.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with low-privileged authenticated access can bypass Docker proxy authorization checks and gain root-level access to the underlying Docker host. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system and containers managed by Portainer CE.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch links are provided at this time. Until a patch is available, restrict access to Portainer CE to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to proxy requests.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- TuranSec
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-10T10:32:49.080Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7b0702bf8831d539a0cbe5
Added to database: 08/11/2026, 11:26:58 UTC
Last enriched: 08/11/2026, 11:56:58 UTC
Last updated: 08/11/2026, 23:24:01 UTC
Views: 5
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