CVE-2026-71289: NASA-AMMOS ANMS / JHUAPL dtnma-tools Unauthenticated Remote Command Execution via Exposed AMP Manager REST API
The NASA-AMMOS Asynchronous Network Management System (ANMS) reference implementation's default docker-compose.yml publishes the amp-manager service's REST API directly to the host network interface (port 8089, e.g. "${IONMGRPORT:-8089}:8089/tcp") with capadd: NETADMIN, NETRAW, SYSNICE, bypassing the CAM (Configuration and Access Manager) gateway that is otherwise the system's sole authentication boundary. The underlying REST server, implemented with CivetWeb in JHUAPL/dtnma-tools (src/refdm/nmrest.c), is configured with enableauthdomaincheck set to "no" and registers every route, including the DTNMA agent command-dispatch endpoints (.../agents/{eid|idx}/send, which accept and forward EXECSET-encoded command sets to a registered DTNMA agent), with a null authentication callback. Any network-reachable client can therefore enumerate registered agents, submit arbitrary command sets to them, and clear stored reports, entirely without credentials. This affects NASA-AMMOS/anms and JHUAPL-DTNMA/dtnma-tools as published; both repositories present this as a reference/ground DTN network-management implementation and testbed, and the affected components communicate with DTNMA agents (which may represent simulated or real spacecraft/ground nodes depending on deployment) rather than being flight software running onboard a spacecraft.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
Change CivetWeb/amp-manager configuration to set enable_auth_domain_check to a value other than "no" so that the authentication domain check is enforced (the issue states it is currently configured with enable_auth_domain_check set to "no").
NASA-AMMOS ANMS / JHUAPL dtnma-tools amp-manager REST API (CivetWeb) enable_auth_domain_check = no - Configuration
Update the amp-manager REST server route registration to use a non-null authentication callback instead of the current null authentication callback, so routes (including the agent command-dispatch endpoints /agents/{eid|idx}/send) require authentication rather than allowing unauthenticated command dispatch and report clearing.
NASA-AMMOS ANMS / JHUAPL dtnma-tools amp-manager REST API (CivetWeb) authentication callback = null - Compensating control
Do not publish the amp-manager REST API directly to the host network interface on port 8089; restrict network reachability so that unauthorized clients cannot access the REST API. The material states the default docker-compose.yml publishes the service REST API to the host network interface (port 8089) and the unauthenticated attack works for any network-reachable client, so enforce network-level access control around port 8089/amp-manager.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-71289?
CVE-2026-71289 has a severity rating of 9.8, classified as critical.
How do I fix CVE-2026-71289?
To fix CVE-2026-71289, restrict access to the amp-manager REST API and avoid exposing it directly to the host network interface.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-71289?
CVE-2026-71289 is an unauthenticated remote command execution vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-71289?
CVE-2026-71289 affects the NASA-AMMOS Asynchronous Network Management System and JHUAPL dtnma-tools.
What risks are associated with CVE-2026-71289?
CVE-2026-71289 poses risks of unauthorized access and execution of commands on affected systems.