External risk intelligence

Homer Open Source Observability Software Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2026-62253

Homer is observability software with API endpoints designed for data collection and management. Because the vulnerability affects authentication middleware on these API endpoints, which are frequently exposed to facilitate remote telemetry and network monitoring in distributed telecom environments, the affected surface is commonly internet-facing or reachable via external networks in typical deployments.

Missing Authentication

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory highlights a critical vulnerability in Homer, an open-source observability software used in telecommunications. The issue allows for unauthenticated access to protected API endpoints on default installations, potentially exposing sensitive operational data. Confirmation of relevance and exposure is the primary concern.

Unauthenticated access to telecom data APIs.
Critical for securing operational data visibility.
Confirm relevance and exposure; protect sensitive data.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

Attackers can access unauthenticated API endpoints by exploiting a default configuration in the Homer JWT middleware. Since the JWT secret defaults to an empty string, all protected API endpoints under `/api/v1`, `/api/v3`, and `/api/v4` are left open to unauthenticated access. This could allow an attacker to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the observability data.

Unauthenticated network access required.
Default empty JWT secret triggers vulnerability.
Complete data compromise is possible.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

When supported by the advisory, unauthenticated access to protected API endpoints in Homer could allow unauthorized users to view, modify, or delete system data. This occurs because the JWT middleware functions do not properly validate tokens when the JWT secret is an empty string, which is the default configuration.

Unauthenticated API access.
Default configuration allows bypass.
Unauthorized data access and modification.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The Homer observability software's default JWT secret can lead to unauthenticated access to critical API endpoints. Infrastructure and platform teams are likely responsible for managing Homer deployments. The immediate first step is to identify all Homer instances, verify their accessibility and business criticality, and then confirm the accountable owner for remediation planning.

Determine Homer instance ownership.
Verify API endpoint exposure and criticality.
Plan remediation based on assessed risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Homer software?

Homer is an open-source tool built for telecom observability. It helps engineers capture, monitor, and analyze network traffic data. Because it provides deep visibility into complex communications systems, it is often deployed to manage and troubleshoot operational data across distributed environments.

What does CVE-2026-62253 mean for security?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-306, which refers to a Missing Authentication for Critical Function. In plain English, the software fails to verify who is requesting data. Because the JWT authentication middleware defaults to an empty secret, the system treats unauthorized requests as valid, effectively turning off the digital locks meant to protect the API.

How can an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

The flaw is triggered by the default configuration where the JWT secret is set to an empty string. If the software is running with this default, no specific malicious payload or complex maneuver is required to gain access. Note that if you have manually configured a non-empty, strong secret, this specific bypass condition is not met.

Is my Homer deployment at risk?

Homer instances are often reachable via external networks to facilitate remote telemetry, making them frequent targets. Halo Surface Signal identifies that because this vulnerability impacts API endpoints typically exposed to facilitate monitoring, you should assume your instance is relevant if it can be reached from outside your immediate internal network.

How do I fix this security issue?

The primary response is to update to version 11.0.283 or later, which includes the necessary patch. Before updating, identify all running instances in your infrastructure, determine who owns them, and assess how they are connected to the network to prioritize which systems require immediate attention.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.