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CVE-2026-86218: N-able N-central Static Code Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-86218 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects N-able N-central. 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 2026-09-08, which means exploitation in the wild has been observed.

Vulnerability description

N-central is vulnerable to a pre-auth remote code execution This issue affects N-central: before 2026.3.1.14.

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-96: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Statically Saved Code

The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before inserting the input into an executable resource, such as a library, configuration file, or template.

Affected products

  • N Able N Central: before 2026.3; 2026.3; 2026.3 hotfix1; 2026.3 hotfix2; 2026.3 hotfix3

References