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UK Cyber Defence
VulnerabilityAnalyzed

CVE-2026-16232

Check Point SmartConsole Improper Authentication Vulnerability

KEVCRITICAL 9.3EPSS 72.1%

Does this matter?

Known to be exploited in the wild (CISA KEV, CISA remediation deadline 25 July 2026). Treat as an emergency change: patch or isolate now, then hunt for prior compromise.

Description

An authentication bypass vulnerability in the Check Point SmartConsole login process allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to obtain an application login token and use it to authenticate with full administrative privileges. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to modify security policies and security configurations. Remote exploitation requires internet access to the Management Server IP address and a configuration that does not restrict Trusted Clients. Check Point is aware that this vulnerability is being exploited and has affected a very small number of customers.

CVSS 4.0
9.3 CRITICALCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/M
EPSS
72.05% probability · 99th percentile
CISA KEV
Listed 22 July 2026 · due 25 July 2026
Weakness
CWE-287
Affected
checkpoint/multi-domain security management · checkpoint/quantum security management
Source
cve@checkpoint.com

CISA notes

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines. https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk185169/ ; BOD 26-04: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; Forensics Triage Requirements: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16232

Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.