# CVE-2026-33950: SignalK Signal K Server privilege escalation in /enableSecurity

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-33950-signalk-signal-k-server-privilege-escalation-in-enablesecurity  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-02. Updated: 2026-07-24  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-33950 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.4 · Published 2026-04-02

Signal K Server is a central data hub used on boats to manage navigation and vessel information. A security flaw allows unauthorized individuals to create their own administrator accounts without needing any existing credentials. This could allow an attacker to remotely take control of the boat's server, modify sensitive navigation data, or change critical system configurations.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-33950 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-33950 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-33950?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.4, published 2 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** signalk-server (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=2.24.0-beta.4; Signal K Server < 2.24.0-beta.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-33950?** Yes. signalk-server (npm): upgrade to 2.24.0-beta.4 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-33950 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-33950?** Check whether you run signalk-server (npm) or 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

- signalk-server (npm): upgrade to 2.24.0-beta.4 or later

  ```sh
  npm install signalk-server@2.24.0-beta.4
  ```


## Technical details

Signal K Server contains a privilege escalation vulnerability due to improper authorization in the /skServer/enableSecurity endpoint. While this endpoint is intended to be used only during initial setup, it remains active and accessible even after security has been enabled and an administrator has been configured. The root cause is twofold: the route is never deregistered after the first use, and the server blindly trusts the 'type' field in the JSON request body. An unauthenticated attacker can send a POST request to this endpoint to inject a new user with 'admin' privileges, gaining full control over the server's configuration and vessel data. This issue is fixed in version 2.24.0-beta.4.

## Affected products

- SignalK Signal K Server < 2.24.0-beta.4

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-33950
- GHSA-x8hc-fqv3-7gwf

## Timeline

- 2026-03-25: patched: Version 2.24.0-beta.4 released
- 2026-04-01: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-04-02: disclosed: CVE-2026-33950 published to NVD

## References

- [https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/releases/tag/v2.24.0-beta.4](https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/releases/tag/v2.24.0-beta.4)
- [https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/security/advisories/GHSA-x8hc-fqv3-7gwf](https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server/security/advisories/GHSA-x8hc-fqv3-7gwf)

## 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)
- [Signal K resources API path traversal and RCE](https://junglewise.ai/threats/signal-k-resources-api-path-traversal-can-disclose-the-jwt-signing-0c6398ee)
- [Signal K Server missing authentication in log download](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118690-signal-k-server-before-2-33-0-contains-a-missing-authentication)
- [Signal K Server SSRF in App Store icon fetcher](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-115752-signal-k-server-from-2-28-0-beta-2-before-2-34-0-contains-a)