# CVE-2026-118690: Signal K Server missing authentication in log download

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118690-signal-k-server-before-2-33-0-contains-a-missing-authentication  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-28. Updated: 2026-10-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118690 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-10-28

Signal K Server is a central server for marine data processing on boats. An unauthenticated attacker can download log archives containing the server's JWT signing key, forge administrator authentication tokens, and create persistent admin accounts for complete server control without needing valid credentials.

Technologies: [Signal K Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/signal-k-server). Vendors: [Signal K](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/signal-k).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118690 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118690 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118690?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 28 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Signal K Server before 2.33.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118690?** Yes: fixed in 2.33.0. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-118690 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118690?** Check whether you run Signal K Server at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in 2.33.0

## Technical details

The /skServer/ziplogs endpoint lacks authentication checks, allowing any network-accessible attacker to retrieve compressed log archives. The logs contain security.json with the JWT secretKey; extracting this key enables forging valid administrator tokens. An attacker can then use these tokens to create backdoor admin accounts, gaining full control over the server and all connected systems.

## Affected products

- Signal K Server before 2.33.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-28: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server](https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server)
- [https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/blob/v2.32.0/src/interfaces/logfiles.js](https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/blob/v2.32.0/src/interfaces/logfiles.js)

## Related threats

- [Signal K Server buffered logs exposure in unauthenticated WebSocket](https://junglewise.ai/threats/signal-k-server-buffered-logs-exposed-to-unauthenticated-websocket-b7032aad)
- [Signal K Server path traversal in REST resources endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123807-signal-k-server-is-a-server-application-that-runs-on-a-central)
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- [SignalK Signal K Server brute-force protection bypass in WebSocket login](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41893-signalk-signal-k-server-brute-force-protection-bypass-in)
- [SignalK Signal K Server privilege escalation in /enableSecurity](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-33950-signalk-signal-k-server-privilege-escalation-in-enablesecurity)