PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-67870 open62541 CVE debrief
The CVE-2026-67870 record describes a critical vulnerability in open62541 v1.5.5. The server-side AddReferences implementation contains an incomplete validation flaw for non-local ExpandedNodeId targets. A remote attacker can send a crafted AddReferencesRequest with an empty targetServerUri and a non-zero targetNodeId.serverIndex, causing the target node pointer to remain NULL while execution continues. Organizations using open62541 v1.5.5, particularly those with exposed or internet-facing systems, should be aware of this critical vulnerability and take steps to mitigate or patch it. The CVSS score is 9.8, indicating critical severity. The vulnerability affects open62541 v1.5.5 and may allow for remote exploitation of the system.
- Vendor
- open62541
- Product
- open62541
- CVSS
- CRITICAL 9.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-08-06
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-08-31
- Advisory published
- 2026-08-06
- Advisory updated
- 2026-08-31
Who should care
Organizations using open62541 v1.5.5, particularly those with exposed or internet-facing systems, should be aware of this critical vulnerability and take steps to mitigate or patch it. This includes operators of industrial control systems, SCADA systems, and other critical infrastructure. Vulnerability management and security teams should prioritize patching or mitigating the vulnerability to prevent potential remote attacks.
Technical summary
The server-side AddReferences implementation in open62541 v1.5.5 contains an incomplete validation flaw for non-local ExpandedNodeId targets. A remote attacker can send a crafted AddReferencesRequest with an empty targetServerUri and a non-zero targetNodeId.serverIndex, causing the target node pointer to remain NULL while execution continues. This could potentially allow for remote exploitation of the system. The vulnerability affects open62541 v1.5.5 and has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity.
Defensive priority
Organizations using open62541 v1.5.5 should prioritize patching or mitigating the vulnerability to prevent potential remote attacks.
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply patches or updates for open62541 v1.5.5 as soon as available
- Implement compensating controls to monitor and restrict access to affected systems
- Conduct inventory checks to identify and prioritize affected systems
- Monitor for suspicious activity related to AddReferences requests
- Review and verify system logs for potential exploitation attempts
- Perform regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities
- Establish a process for rapid patching of critical vulnerabilities
Evidence notes
The CVE description indicates an incomplete validation flaw in open62541 v1.5.5's server-side AddReferences implementation. A remote attacker can send a crafted AddReferencesRequest with an empty targetServerUri and a non-zero targetNodeId.serverIndex, causing the target node pointer to remain NULL while execution continues. The CVSS score is 9.8, indicating critical severity.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
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CVE-2026-67870 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-67870
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-67870 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-67870
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/open62541/open62541/blob/v1.5.5/include/open62541/types.h
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/open62541/open62541/blob/v1.5.5/src/server/ua_services_nodemanagement.c
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/open62541/open62541/blob/v1.5.5/src/ua_types.c
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/open62541/open62541/issues/8172
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.