# CVE-2026-42856: Jovancoding Network-AI missing authentication in MCP HTTP transport

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42856-jovancoding-network-ai-missing-authentication-in-mcp-http  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-11. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42856 · Severity: high · CVSS 4 · Published 2026-05-11

Network-AI is a tool used for managing AI agents and orchestrating network tasks. A security flaw allows anyone with network access to the service to execute administrative commands without a password. This could allow an attacker to change system settings, create or delete security tokens, and interfere with active AI agents, potentially leading to unauthorized access or disruption of operations.

Technologies: [Jovancoding Network-AI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/network-ai), [network-ai (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/npm-network-ai). Vendors: [Jovancoding](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/jovancoding), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42856 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42856 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42856?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 11 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Jovancoding Network-AI <= 5.1.2; network-ai (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=5.1.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42856?** Yes. network-ai (npm): upgrade to 5.1.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-42856 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42856?** Check whether you run Jovancoding Network-AI or network-ai (npm) 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

- network-ai (npm): upgrade to 5.1.3 or later

  ```sh
  npm install network-ai@5.1.3
  ```


## Technical details

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) HTTP transport in Network-AI fails to implement authentication, session, or token checks in its `_handlePost()` and `handleRPC()` functions. By default, the server binds to `0.0.0.0`, making it reachable over the network. An unauthenticated attacker can send JSON-RPC `tools/call` requests to invoke privileged tools such as `config_set`, `agent_spawn`, and `token_create`. This allows for full enumeration and mutation of the orchestrator's live configuration, agent management, and security token lifecycle. The vulnerability is addressed in version 5.1.3.

## Affected products

- Jovancoding Network-AI <= 5.1.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-42856
- GHSA-fj4g-2p96-q6m3

## Timeline

- 2026-04-21: other: Reporter validation date
- 2026-04-24: advisory: GitHub Advisory published
- 2026-05-05: disclosed: CVE-2026-42856 assigned

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/232-323](https://api.github.com/users/232-323)
- [https://github.com/232-323](https://github.com/232-323)
- [https://api.github.com/users/232-323/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/232-323/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/232-323/repos](https://api.github.com/users/232-323/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/196280629?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/196280629?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/232-323/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/232-323/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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