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CVE-2026-16232: Check Point SmartConsole Improper Authentication Vulnerability

CVE-2026-16232 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Check Point SmartConsole, along with 2 other products in NVD’s configuration data. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-07-22, which means exploitation in the wild has been observed.

Vulnerability description

An authentication bypass vulnerability in the Check Point SmartConsole login process allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to obtain an application login token and use it to authenticate with full administrative privileges. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to modify security policies and security configurations. Remote exploitation requires internet access to the Management Server IP address and a configuration that does not restrict Trusted Clients. Check Point is aware that this vulnerability is being exploited and has affected a very small number of customers.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-287: Improper Authentication

When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.

Affected products

  • Checkpoint Multi Domain Security Management: from r77.30 before r81.20; r81.20; r81.20 take_10; r81.20 take_101; r81.20 take_103; r81.20 take_105; r81.20 take_111; r81.20 take_113; r81.20 take_115; r81.20 take_118; r81.20 take_119; r81.20 take_120
  • Checkpoint Quantum Security Management: from r77.30 before r81.20; r81.20; r81.20 take_10; r81.20 take_101; r81.20 take_103; r81.20 take_105; r81.20 take_111; r81.20 take_113; r81.20 take_115; r81.20 take_118; r81.20 take_119; r81.20 take_120

References