CVE-2026-28442
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2026-28442 allows authenticated users to delete critical system files in ZimaOS by manipulating API requests, bypassing frontend restrictions. This vulnerability affects all ZimaOS 1.5.2-beta3 installations with API access. Attackers can cause system instability or complete OS failure by deleting essential files.
💻 Affected Systems
- ZimaOS
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise or bricking of the device by deleting critical OS files, rendering the system unbootable or unstable.
Likely Case
Partial system degradation or service disruption by deleting configuration files, application data, or system components.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if API access is restricted to trusted users only and proper input validation is implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated API access but is straightforward by manipulating the path parameter in delete requests. No public proof-of-concept is known, but the advisory provides technical details.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: None
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/security/advisories/GHSA-q5hp-59wm-9xq3
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch is available. Monitor the vendor advisory for updates and apply patches when released.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict API Access
linuxLimit API access to trusted IP addresses or networks using firewall rules to reduce attack surface.
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [API_PORT] -s [TRUSTED_IP] -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [API_PORT] -j DROP
Disable Unnecessary API Endpoints
allTemporarily disable or block the vulnerable delete API endpoints if not required for operations.
Use web server configuration (e.g., nginx, apache) to block requests to /api/delete or similar paths
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation on the backend to reject delete requests targeting system directories (e.g., /usr, /etc, /boot).
- Enforce access control checks at the API level to verify user permissions before processing delete operations.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running ZimaOS version 1.5.2-beta3 and test API delete requests with manipulated paths to system locations.Check Version:
cat /etc/os-release | grep VERSIONVerify Fix Applied:
After applying workarounds or patches, test that delete requests to system paths are rejected with proper error messages.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual delete API requests with paths containing system directories (e.g., /etc, /usr)
- Failed or successful delete operations from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to API endpoints with DELETE method and suspicious path parameters
SIEM Query:
source="api.log" method="DELETE" path="*system*" OR path="*etc*" OR path="*usr*"