Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2026-18556
The short answer
CVE-2026-18556 affects N-able N-central and is rated high (CVSS 8.2). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-04: attackers are using it, so patch it first.
What it is
Authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in N-able N-central allows Authentication Bypass. This issue affects N-central: through 2026.1.
Weakness: CWE-288.
Severity
8.2 high
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Aug 4, 2026
Federal due date Aug 7, 2026
EPSS, next 30 days
7.9%
Higher than 95% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- High
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- None
- Availability impact
- None
What CISA says to do
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…
Affected products
N-central. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- uptime.n-able.com/ Vendor Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-18556 US Government Resource
- www.n-able.com/blog/n-central-security-update-august-2-2026 Vendor Advisory
Questions
Is CVE-2026-18556 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2026-18556 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-04, with a federal remediation due date of 2026-08-07.
How do I fix CVE-2026-18556?
CISA's required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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