CVE-2026-23746 is a critical vulnerability found in Entrust Instant Financial Issuance (IFI) On Premise software, commonly known as CardWizard, affecting versions prior to 6.10.5 and 6.11.1. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit an insecure .NET Remoting exposure in the SmartCardController service (DCG.SmartCardControllerService.exe). The service registers a TCP remoting channel with unsafe formatter settings, permitting untrusted remoting object invocation. As a result, a remote, unauthenticated attacker can reach the remoting port and invoke exposed remoting objects to read arbitrary files from the server. This exploitation can lead to arbitrary file writes and remote code execution, posing a significant risk to sensitive installation and service-account data.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.3, indicating a critical severity level. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK with low attack complexity, meaning it requires no special privileges or user interaction. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from organizations using affected software versions.
Given the severity of this vulnerability, organizations must prioritize patching immediately. Failure to do so could lead to unauthorized access and compromise of their systems.
As of now, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept available for this vulnerability, but its remote exploitation capability raises significant concerns.
Defenders should be aware that this vulnerability is currently classified as deferred, which may impact the urgency of remediation efforts.
Organizations using Entrust IFI should take immediate steps to assess their exposure and implement necessary updates to mitigate this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability description states that Entrust Instant Financial Issuance (IFI) On Premise software versions prior to 6.10.5 and 6.11.1 contain an insecure .NET Remoting exposure in the SmartCardController service (DCG.SmartCardControllerService.exe). This exposure allows remote attackers to invoke untrusted remoting object invocations due to unsafe TCP remoting configurations, leading to potential file access and remote code execution.
The CVSS score of 9.3 categorizes this vulnerability as critical, highlighting the significant risks associated with its exploitation. The attack vector is classified as network-based, requiring low complexity with no privileges or user interaction needed.
CWE classifications for this vulnerability include CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) and CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data), underlining the inadequate protections surrounding sensitive operations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-23746 lies in the improper configuration of the .NET Remoting service, which exposes critical components of the Entrust IFI application to remote attackers. The SmartCardController service is designed to facilitate communication between clients and the server but is misconfigured to allow unsafe access.
Attackers may leverage this vulnerability by connecting to the exposed TCP remoting channel, which is accessible over the network. The low attack complexity means that even an attacker with basic skills could exploit this vulnerability without needing to authenticate or interact with users.
The implications of successful exploitation are severe. Attackers can gain access to sensitive files, manipulate service-account data, and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This could lead to a complete compromise of the server and its data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using Entrust IFI software face significant risks due to the potential for remote exploitation of this vulnerability. The ability for attackers to read arbitrary files and execute code remotely poses a critical threat to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data and systems.
The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any organization utilizing the affected versions of the software, which may include financial institutions and other entities handling sensitive information. The potential for unauthorized access and data breaches is high, making this vulnerability a top priority for remediation.
With a CVSS score indicating critical severity, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The risk of exploitation is exacerbated by the current lack of public exploits, which could mean that attackers are actively searching for vulnerable systems.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Entrust Instant Financial Issuance software versions 5.x, prior to 6.10.5 and 6.11.1, are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest version to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2026-23746, organizations should take the following actions:
1. Upgrade to Entrust Instant Financial Issuance software version 6.10.5 or 6.11.1 or later to protect against this vulnerability.
2. Review and harden firewall rules to restrict access to the remoting port only to trusted sources.
3. Implement network monitoring solutions to detect any unauthorized access attempts to the remoting service.
4. Conduct security assessments, including penetration testing, to identify any further vulnerabilities.
Penetration testing should be part of the organization's security strategy to ensure ongoing protection.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of unauthorized access attempts to the SmartCardController service. Look for unusual network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Behavioral anomalies in application usage should also be scrutinized, as they may signify attempts to exploit the vulnerability.
Monitoring system changes and access logs can help in identifying potential compromises and enhancing overall security posture.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2026-23746 represents a significant risk for organizations using Entrust IFI software. The trend of exploiting misconfigured remoting services highlights the need for proactive security measures and regular updates to software environments.
Security teams should learn from this vulnerability and ensure that systems are not only patched but also regularly audited for secure configurations.
A vulnerability management program can help organizations identify and remediate vulnerabilities such as this effectively.
Additionally, understanding the implications of remote code execution vulnerabilities is crucial for developing effective incident response strategies.
Penetration testing methodology should be integrated into overall security practices to mitigate risks and improve response capabilities.
Finally, organizations must remain vigilant and stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities to avoid falling victim to exploitation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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