# CVE-2026-16551: Thinkst Applied Research OpenCanary DoS in MongoDB module

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16551-thinkst-applied-research-opencanary-dos-in-mongodb-module  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-22. Updated: 2026-07-22  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-16551 · Severity: info · CVSS 6.9 · Published 2026-07-22

OpenCanary is a honeypot tool used to detect unauthorized activity on a network by mimicking real services. A vulnerability in its MongoDB module allows a remote attacker to crash or freeze the service using a single specially crafted network packet. This results in a denial-of-service, preventing the honeypot from performing its security monitoring functions.

Vendors: [Thinkst Applied Research](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/thinkst-applied-research).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-16551 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-16551 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-16551?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 6.9, published 22 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Thinkst Applied Research OpenCanary 0.9.8.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-16551?** A patch was published on 2026-07-22: Fixed in version 0.9.9 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-16551 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-16551?** Check whether you run Thinkst Applied Research OpenCanary 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.

## Technical details

A denial-of-service vulnerability exists in the MongoDB module of OpenCanary version 0.9.8. The flaw is rooted in improper input validation (CWE-20) and an infinite loop condition (CWE-835) triggered by a single malicious packet. When exploited, the Twisted process consumes 100% of the available CPU core, leading to excessive resource allocation and service unavailability. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without authentication. The issue is resolved in version 0.9.9; users unable to upgrade can mitigate the risk by disabling the MongoDB module in the configuration file.

## Affected products

- Thinkst Applied Research OpenCanary 0.9.8

## Timeline

- 2026-07-22: disclosed
- 2026-07-22: advisory
- 2026-07-22: patched: Fixed in version 0.9.9

## References

- [https://github.com/thinkst/opencanary](https://github.com/thinkst/opencanary)
- [https://github.com/thinkst/opencanary/security/advisories/GHSA-vg37-pc42-q265](https://github.com/thinkst/opencanary/security/advisories/GHSA-vg37-pc42-q265)