# CVE-2026-9142: NI grpc-device missing authentication when TLS is disabled

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-9142-ni-grpc-device-missing-authentication-when-tls-is-disabled  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-19. Updated: 2026-06-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-9142 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-06-19

NI grpc-device is a software component used to interface with National Instruments hardware over a network. A security flaw exists where the system may fail to require authentication if it is configured without encryption (TLS) and is accessible beyond the local computer. This could allow an unauthorized person on the same network to gain full control over the device server, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive measurement data or unauthorized manipulation of hardware operations.

Technologies: [NI Grpc-Device](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/grpc-device), [NI InstrumentStudio](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/instrumentstudio). Vendors: [NI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ni).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-9142 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-9142 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-9142?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 19 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** NI Grpc-Device <= 2.17.0; NI InstrumentStudio <= 26.3.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-9142?** A patch was published on 2026-06-19: Fixed in version 2.18.0 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-9142 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-9142?** Check whether you run NI Grpc-Device or NI InstrumentStudio 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

The vulnerability is classified as Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306). In NI grpc-device versions 2.17.0 and prior, the software fails to enforce credentials when a TLS configuration is absent and the server is bound to a network interface other than the loopback address (127.0.0.1). An unauthenticated attacker on the local network can exploit this to gain unauthorized access to the gRPC server. This provides the attacker with high confidentiality and integrity impact over the device's functions. The issue is addressed in NI grpc-device version 2.18.0.

## Affected products

- NI grpc-device <= 2.17.0
- NI InstrumentStudio <= 26.3.0

## Timeline

- 2026-06-19: disclosed
- 2026-06-19: advisory
- 2026-06-19: patched: Fixed in version 2.18.0

## References

- [https://github.com/ni/grpc-device/security/advisories/GHSA-fhhw-37q8-6562](https://github.com/ni/grpc-device/security/advisories/GHSA-fhhw-37q8-6562)
- [https://www.ni.com/en/support/security/available-critical-and-security-updates-for-ni-software/2026/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-ni-grpc-device-server.html](https://www.ni.com/en/support/security/available-critical-and-security-updates-for-ni-software/2026/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-ni-grpc-device-server.html)

## Related threats

- [NI grpc-device incorrect numeric conversion in CodeGen](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-9143-ni-grpc-device-incorrect-numeric-conversion-in-codegen)
- [NI grpc-device memory leak in BeginSidebandStream](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48141-ni-grpc-device-memory-leak-in-beginsidebandstream)
- [NI grpc-device unchecked enum cast in BeginSidebandStream](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48140-ni-grpc-device-unchecked-enum-cast-in-beginsidebandstream)
- [NI grpc-device NULL pointer dereference in data moniker service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48139-ni-grpc-device-null-pointer-dereference-in-data-moniker-service)
- [NI grpc-device out-of-bounds read in streaming API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48138-ni-grpc-device-out-of-bounds-read-in-streaming-api)