CVE-2026-58482: Network-AI: ApprovalInbox HTTP server has no authentication — anyone can approve pending agent actions
Network-AI, a TypeScript/Node.js multi-agent orchestrator, has a shipped, exported, documented feature called ApprovalInbox (lib/approval-inbox.ts). It is the network surface of the human-in-the-loop Approval Gate, which ApprovalGate uses to require explicit human approval for high-risk operations. The HTTP server it exposes has no authentication of any kind and sets Access-Control-Allow-Origin: on every route, including the state-changing POST /approvals/:id/approve and /deny. As a result, in versions 5.0.0 through 5.12.1, any party who can send an HTTP request to the inbox port — a co-located process, a container/SSRF on the same host, a remote client when the operator binds a non-loopback address, or any website the operator visits in a browser (via the wildcard CORS) — can enumerate pending approvals and approve them, defeating the entire human-in-the-loop control and causing the gated high-risk action (e.g. a shell command the agent was holding for review) to execute without consent. This issue is fixed in v5.12.2. ApprovalInbox now accepts a secret option. When set, the mutating endpoints POST /:id/approve and POST /:id/deny require an Authorization: Bearer <secret> header, validated in constant time with crypto.timingSafeEqual. startServer() already binds to 127.0.0.1 by default; operators exposing the inbox on a network must set a secret.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Network-AI (ApprovalInbox)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.12.2 - Configuration
Configure ApprovalInbox with a non-empty secret option so that mutating endpoints require an Authorization: Bearer <secret> header.
Network-AI ApprovalInbox secret (option passed to ApprovalInbox) = <set a secret> - Configuration
Ensure the inbox server is bound to 127.0.0.1 by default; if operators expose it on a network (non-loopback), they must set the ApprovalInbox secret.
Network-AI ApprovalInbox startServer() binding address (must not be exposed without secret) = 127.0.0.1 (default)
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-58482?
CVE-2026-58482 has a medium severity rating of 5.9.
What are the impacts of CVE-2026-58482?
CVE-2026-58482 allows anyone to approve pending agent actions due to lack of authentication in the ApprovalInbox HTTP server.
How can I fix CVE-2026-58482?
To fix CVE-2026-58482, implement proper authentication mechanisms for the ApprovalInbox feature.
What can attackers do with CVE-2026-58482?
Attackers can leverage CVE-2026-58482 to gain unauthorized approval for high-risk operations without any authentication.
Which software is affected by CVE-2026-58482?
CVE-2026-58482 affects the Network-AI ApprovalInbox component.