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Upgrade to ProDetect Check Point SmartConsole Improper Authentication (CVE-2026-16232) in CrowdStrike LogScale
Detects exploitation attempts and indicators of the CVE-2026-16232 Improper Authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in Check Point SmartConsole management client/server communications, added to CISA KEV. Attackers exploiting this flaw can bypass authentication checks to gain unauthorized access to SmartConsole management sessions, potentially allowing manipulation of security policy, log access, or lateral movement into the management plane.
MITRE ATT&CK
LogScale Detection Query
#event_simpleName=NetworkConnectIP4 OR #event_simpleName=NetworkConnectIP6
| RemotePort=19009 OR RemotePort=18190 OR RemotePort=443
| ProcessName=/(?i)(cpmiserver|cpm|smartconsole)/
| stats count(aid) as attempt_count by ComputerName, RemoteAddressIP4, RemotePort
| where attempt_count >= 3CrowdStrike CQL query identifying repeated endpoint connections to Check Point SmartConsole management processes/ports, useful for correlating endpoint-side indicators of CVE-2026-16232 exploitation attempts against management infrastructure.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate SmartConsole administrator workstations connecting routinely to management ports
- Internal vulnerability scanning tools authorized to probe management services
- Process name matches from unrelated third-party software sharing similar naming
Other platforms for CVE-2026-16232
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate unauthenticated connection attempt to SmartConsole management port
Expected signal: Firewall/CEF log entry showing an inbound TCP connection to port 19009 from the test host with no corresponding authenticated session record
- Test 2Generate synthetic log event with bypass/anonymous keyword
Expected signal: Log ingestion pipeline forwards the CEF event into the SIEM index/table used by the detection (CommonSecurityLog or equivalent)
- Test 3Simulate repeated management port probing from single source
Expected signal: Multiple firewall log entries recording repeated connections to port 18190 from the same source IP within a one-hour window
References (4)
- https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk185169/
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- 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
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