CVE-2026-48558 Microsoft Sentinel · KQL

Detect CVE-2026-48558 — SimpleHelp Authentication Bypass (CWE-347) in Microsoft Sentinel

Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-48558, an authentication bypass vulnerability in SimpleHelp remote support software caused by improper verification of cryptographic signatures (CWE-347). This KEV-listed vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication controls. SimpleHelp is commonly used by MSPs and IT support teams, making it a high-value target for initial access and lateral movement.

MITRE ATT&CK

Tactic
Initial Access Persistence Lateral Movement

KQL Detection Query

Microsoft Sentinel (KQL)
kusto
let SimpleHelpPorts = dynamic([80, 443, 5850, 5900]);
let SuspiciousAdminPaths = dynamic(["/admin", "/api/admin", "/operator", "/technician"]);
union DeviceNetworkEvents, CommonSecurityLog, W3CIISLog
| where TimeGenerated >= ago(7d)
| where (
    (RemotePort in (SimpleHelpPorts) or DestinationPort in (SimpleHelpPorts))
    or (csUriStem has_any (SuspiciousAdminPaths))
  )
| where (
    (csMethod in ("GET", "POST") and (csUriStem has "/admin" or csUriStem has "/operator"))
    or (sc-status in (200, 302) and cs-username == "-" and csUriStem has_any (SuspiciousAdminPaths))
  )
| extend AuthBypassIndicator = case(
    sc-status == 200 and cs-username == "-" and csUriStem has_any (SuspiciousAdminPaths), "Unauthenticated access to admin endpoint",
    sc-status == 302 and csUriStem has "/admin", "Redirect from admin path without auth session",
    "Suspicious SimpleHelp request"
  )
| project TimeGenerated, AuthBypassIndicator, csUriStem, sc-status, cs-username, c-ip, s-ip, csMethod, csUserAgent
| order by TimeGenerated desc
critical severity medium confidence

Detects unauthenticated access to SimpleHelp administrative and operator endpoints, indicative of authentication bypass exploitation of CVE-2026-48558. Looks for HTTP 200/302 responses to privileged paths without valid session credentials.

Data Sources

Microsoft Defender for EndpointAzure Monitor - IIS LogsCommonSecurityLog

Required Tables

DeviceNetworkEventsCommonSecurityLogW3CIISLog

False Positives & Tuning

  • Legitimate SimpleHelp administrators accessing the panel from expected internal IP ranges
  • Vulnerability scanners or asset management tools probing SimpleHelp service ports
  • Load balancer health checks targeting SimpleHelp web endpoints
  • Automated monitoring solutions that probe application availability endpoints

Other platforms for CVE-2026-48558


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.

  1. Test 1CVE-2026-48558 — Unauthenticated Admin Endpoint Access Probe

    Expected signal: Web server access logs will show GET requests to /admin, /operator, /technician, and /api/admin from the test host IP. Network flow data will show connections from test host to SimpleHelp port. IDS/IPS may generate HTTP policy violation alerts.

  2. Test 2CVE-2026-48558 — Signature Verification Bypass via Malformed Token

    Expected signal: Application logs should show authentication attempts with malformed tokens. Web server logs will record requests with Authorization headers containing invalid credentials. Endpoint detection may flag the curl process making connections to internal services.

  3. Test 3CVE-2026-48558 — Post-Bypass Operator Account Enumeration

    Expected signal: Multiple sequential API requests to /api/admin/* paths from single source IP within short timeframe. Application logs show operator/technician/config endpoint access. UEBA tools may flag unusual API access patterns if baselining is in place.

Unlock Pro Content

Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-48558 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.

Response PlaybookInvestigation GuideHunting QueriesAtomic Red Team TestsTuning Guidance

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