# CVE-2026-42461: Arcane missing authorization in template API endpoints

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42461-arcane-missing-authorization-in-template-api-endpoints  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-09. Updated: 2026-05-15  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42461 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-05-09

Arcane, a management interface for Docker containers and infrastructure, contains a security flaw that allows anyone with network access to view sensitive configuration files without logging in. These files often contain "secrets" such as database passwords, API keys, and encryption tokens used by the organization's applications. An attacker could use this information to gain unauthorized access to other internal systems, databases, or third-party services.

Technologies: [Arcane backend](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/arcane-backend), [Getarcane Arcane](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/arcane), [github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-getarcaneapp-arcane-backend). Vendors: [Arcane](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/arcane), [Getarcane](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/getarcane), [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42461 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42461 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42461?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 9 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Arcane backend < 1.18.0; github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend (Go) < 1.18.0, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=1.18.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42461?** Yes. github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend (Go): upgrade to 1.18.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-42461 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42461?** Check whether you run Arcane backend, Getarcane Arcane or github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend (Go) 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

- github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend (Go): upgrade to 1.18.0 or later

  ```sh
  go get github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/backend@v1.18.0
  ```


## Technical details

A missing authorization check in the Huma backend of Arcane allows unauthenticated access to several template-related API endpoints (/api/templates, /api/templates/all, /api/templates/{id}, and /api/templates/{id}/content). The root cause is the omission of a 'Security' block in the huma.Register calls within backend/internal/huma/handlers/templates.go, which causes the authentication middleware to skip token verification. Because the "Save as Template" workflow persists environment variables verbatim, an attacker can retrieve plain-text secrets including database credentials and API keys from the .env content of stored templates. This vulnerability is addressed in version 1.18.0 by enforcing authentication by default across all API endpoints.

## Affected products

- getarcaneapp Arcane < 1.18.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-42461
- GHSA-cxx3-hr75-4q96
- GO-2026-5340

## Timeline

- 2026-04-23: patched: Version 1.18.0 released
- 2026-04-23: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-05-09: disclosed: CVE published to NVD

## References

- [https://github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/releases/tag/v1.18.0](https://github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/releases/tag/v1.18.0)
- [https://github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/security/advisories/GHSA-cxx3-hr75-4q96](https://github.com/getarcaneapp/arcane/security/advisories/GHSA-cxx3-hr75-4q96)

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