CVE-2026-5426
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Hard-coded machineKey in KnowledgeDeliver Enables Remote Code Execution

Publication date: 2026-04-16

Last updated on: 2026-05-26

Assigner: Mandiant Inc.

Description
Hard-coded ASP.NET/IIS machineKey value in Digital Knowledge KnowledgeDeliver deployments prior to February 24, 2026 allows adversaries to circumvent ViewState validation mechanisms and achieve remote code execution via malicious ViewState deserialization attacks
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Meta Information
Published
2026-04-16
Last Modified
2026-05-26
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-04-16
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-5426
EUVD
EUVD-2026-23271
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
digital_knowledge knowledgedeliver to 2026-02-24 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-321 The product uses a hard-coded, unchangeable cryptographic key.
CWE-502 The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves a hard-coded ASP.NET/IIS machineKey value in Digital Knowledge KnowledgeDeliver deployments prior to February 24, 2026. Because the machineKey is hard-coded, attackers can bypass the ViewState validation mechanisms.

By circumventing ViewState validation, adversaries can perform malicious ViewState deserialization attacks, which can lead to remote code execution on the affected system.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems by exploiting the hard-coded machineKey to bypass ViewState validation.

Remote code execution can lead to full compromise of the affected server, potentially allowing attackers to steal data, disrupt services, or use the system as a foothold for further attacks.

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