CVE-2026-25160 affects Alist, a file list program developed by AlistGo. This vulnerability allows Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks due to the application disabling TLS certificate verification by default for all outgoing storage driver communications. This oversight enables attackers to intercept and manipulate data transmitted during storage operations, severely compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user data. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The severity of this vulnerability is rated as critical, with a CVSS score of 9.1, indicating a high risk to organizations utilizing this application. As such, organizations must evaluate their use of Alist and implement the necessary updates provided in version 3.57.0, which addresses this issue.
The urgency for defenders cannot be overstated. Organizations utilizing Alist must take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability to prevent potential data breaches and loss of sensitive information.
As of now, no public exploit has been confirmed for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for exploitation remains, emphasizing the importance of swift remediation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability detailed in CVE-2026-25160 arises from the Alist application’s configuration, where it disables TLS certificate verification by default. This flaw allows for MitM attacks, which can lead to the complete decryption, theft, and manipulation of all data transmitted during storage operations. The official CVE description highlights the severity of this issue, which was patched in version 3.57.0, released on February 4, 2026.
The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-295, indicating a fundamental flaw in the TLS implementation. The CVSS score of 9.1 categorizes this vulnerability as critical, while the NVD assigns a lower score of 7.4, marking it as high severity. The discrepancy highlights the importance of considering multiple sources when assessing vulnerability risks.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the default configuration of the Alist application, which lacks the necessary enforcement of TLS certificate verification for outgoing communications. This oversight creates a significant attack vector, as attackers can exploit the lack of encryption to intercept sensitive data.
The attack vector is classified as network-based, with a low attack complexity, meaning that attackers do not require advanced skills or privileges to exploit this vulnerability. User interaction is not required, further enhancing the risk. The impacts of successful exploitation include high confidentiality and integrity impacts, with no availability impact noted.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risk to organizations leveraging Alist is significant, as this vulnerability could lead to major data breaches and unauthorized data manipulation. Given the critical data often handled by file list applications, the blast radius could be extensive, affecting not only the application users but also their clients and partners.
Organizations must recognize the urgency of addressing this vulnerability. The high CVSS score indicates a severe risk profile that should be prioritized in the patch management cycle. Failure to remediate could lead to severe legal and financial repercussions for affected organizations.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Alist prior to 3.57.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations utilizing earlier versions should upgrade to version 3.57.0 or later to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to Alist version 3.57.0 or later. In instances where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should consider implementing network controls to restrict access to sensitive data and monitor traffic for abnormal patterns. It is also advisable to implement configuration hardening to ensure TLS certificate verification is enforced.
For organizations seeking to validate the effectiveness of their remediation efforts, engaging in a penetration testing program can provide valuable insights.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unusual access patterns or failed authentication attempts. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected data transmissions or access from unfamiliar IP addresses, should also be investigated. Implementing network signatures to detect potential MitM attacks can aid in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-25160 lies in its demonstration of the critical importance of secure communication practices in software development. This vulnerability underscores the necessity for security teams to prioritize secure configurations and regular updates as part of their operational processes.
This incident serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of vulnerabilities and the need for proactive defenses. Organizations should remain vigilant and continuously educate their teams on the latest security practices.
For further insights on security best practices, consider reviewing our penetration testing methodology guide or the vulnerability management program design framework.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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