CVE-2026-26016: Pterodactyl Panel broken access control (CVSS 8.1)

Description

Wings is the server control plane for Pterodactyl, a free, open-source game server management panel. Prior to version 1.12.1, a missing authorization check in multiple controllers allows any user with access to a node secret token to fetch information about any server on a Pterodactyl instance, even if that server is associated with a different node. This issue stems from missing logic to verify that the node requesting server data is the same node that the server is associated with. Any authenticated Wings node can retrieve server installation scripts (potentially containing secret values) and manipulate the installation status of servers belonging to other nodes. Wings nodes may also manipulate the transfer status of servers belonging to other nodes. This vulnerability requires a user to acquire a secret access token for a node. Unless a user gains access to a Wings secret access token they would not be able to access any of these vulnerable endpoints, as every endpoint requires a valid node access token. A single compromised Wings node daemon token (stored in plaintext at `/etc/pterodactyl/config.yml`) grants access to sensitive configuration data of every server on the panel, rather than only to servers that the node has access to. An attacker can use this information to move laterally through the system, send excessive notifications, destroy server data on other nodes, and otherwise exfiltrate secrets that they should not have access to with only a node token. Additionally, triggering a false transfer success causes the panel to delete the server from the source node, resulting in permanent data loss. Users should upgrade to version 1.12.1 to receive a fix.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork

Attack complexityHigh

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionNone

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Pterodactyl Panel< 1.12.1

Remediation

Fixed in

Pterodactyl Panel≥ 1.12.1

Patch & vendor advisories

https://github.com/pterodactyl/panel/security/advisories/GHSA-g7vw-f8p5-c728

References

https://github.com/pterodactyl/panel/releases/tag/v1.12.1ProductRelease Notes
https://github.com/pterodactyl/panel/security/advisories/GHSA-g7vw-f8p5-c728Vendor Advisory

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2026-26016 being actively exploited?

CVE-2026-26016 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.46%.

How severe is CVE-2026-26016?

CVE-2026-26016 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, rated high. EPSS estimates a 0.46% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2026-26016?

Affected products include Pterodactyl Panel.

How do I fix CVE-2026-26016?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Pterodactyl Panel 1.12.1 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-26016 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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