# CVE-2026-85427: MOOS essential-moos pAntler remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85427-moos-essential-moos-pantler-remote-code-execution  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-03. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85427 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-09-03

pAntler is a MOOS communications utility that manages system processes. The vulnerability allows attackers on the network to send malicious mission files to the MOOSDB message broker without authentication, causing pAntler to execute arbitrary system commands. This enables complete system compromise on any host running the affected software.

Technologies: [MOOS Essential-Moos](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/essential-moos). Vendors: [MOOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/moos).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85427 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85427 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85427?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 3 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** MOOS Essential-Moos through 10.0.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85427?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-85427 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85427?** Check whether you run MOOS Essential-Moos 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

pAntler contains an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in its handling of MISSION_FILE messages published to MOOSDB. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of mission file contents before parsing—attackers can craft a malicious mission file containing Run entries that are executed directly via execvp() without any sanitization. The attack requires network access to the MOOSDB broker (typically UDP port 9000) but no authentication credentials. An attacker can execute arbitrary programs with the privileges of the pAntler process, potentially leading to full system compromise.

## Affected products

- MOOS essential-moos through 10.0.1

## Timeline

- 2026-09-03: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/themoos/essential-moos](https://github.com/themoos/essential-moos)
- [https://github.com/themoos/essential-moos/blob/b897ea86dba8b61412dc48ac0cfb5ff34cdaf5f6/Essentials/pAntler/Antler.cpp](https://github.com/themoos/essential-moos/blob/b897ea86dba8b61412dc48ac0cfb5ff34cdaf5f6/Essentials/pAntler/Antler.cpp)

## Related threats

- [MOOS essential-moos buffer overflow in CMOOSUDPLink](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85436-moos-essential-moos-buffer-overflow-in-cmoosudplink)
- [MOOS essential-moos pShare authorization bypass in PSHARE_CMD](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85433-moos-essential-moos-pshare-authorization-bypass-in-pshare-cmd)
- [MOOS essential-moos UDP packet injection in pMOOSBridge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85431-moos-essential-moos-udp-packet-injection-in-pmoosbridge)
- [MOOS pShare authentication bypass in UDP listener](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85430-moos-pshare-authentication-bypass-in-udp-listener)