CVE-2026-52824: Kimai · Default APP_SECRET in Docker Image Enables Cookie Forgery and Account Takeover
Affects kimai/kimaiSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · public detection template (Nuclei) · CVSS 9.1 Critical : upgrade to 2.58.0 as a priority.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 06:59 UTC
- EPSS
- 1.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 71% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2.58.0
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 14 Jul 2026
Detectable: evidence found.
nuclei template: Kimai <= 2.57.0 - Default APP_SECRET Authentication Bypass
Weaponized: evidence found.
Public exploit code: GitHub proofs of concept
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), GitHub proofs of concept, the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade kimai/kimai to 2.58.0.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Packagistkimai/kimai | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
The vendor has released an updated Docker image and entrypoint script that generates a random APP_SECRET at startup and removes the default static secret. Users should upgrade to Kimai version 2.58.0 or later and ensure the APP_SECRET environment variable is set to a unique, random value. The updated entrypoint script automatically manages this secret. Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication on accounts mitigates the risk of takeover. Check the vendor advisory at https://www.kimai.org/en/security/ghsa-jr9p-4h4j-6c58 for the latest remediation details.
Description
The official Kimai Docker image shipped with a default APP_SECRET environment variable set to a known static value. This default secret was not overridden or validated at startup, allowing attackers to forge HMAC-signed cookies and login links. This enables unauthenticated attackers to take over any account, including super_admin, if they know the username and can guess the user ID, provided the account does not have active two-factor authentication. The issue affects Kimai versions prior to 2.58.0. The vendor has updated the entrypoint script to generate a random APP_SECRET at startup, removed the default static secret from the Dockerfile, and improved login link entropy to mitigate the risk.