CVE-2026-13043: Missing Authentication Flaw in WatchGuard Endpoint Security Scores 9.3 on CVSS
A newly published critical vulnerability in WatchGuard Endpoint Security carries a CVSS score of 9.3. Here is what is affected and how to respond.
Key points
- CVE-2026-13043 affects WatchGuard Endpoint Security.
- CVSS 9.3 (Critical).
- No exploitation confirmed yet.
A critical missing authentication tracked as CVE-2026-13043 has been published in the National Vulnerability Database for WatchGuard Endpoint Security, with a CVSS base score of 9.3.
At a glance
- CVE
- CVE-2026-13043
- Product
- WatchGuard Endpoint Security
- CVSS
- 9.3 Critical
- Weakness
- missing authentication
- Exploited
- No known exploitation
What is the vulnerability?
The NVD entry states: A missing authentication vulnerability in the Kernel Memory Access Driver (PSKMAD) used by WatchGuard endpoint security products allows a local, authenticated attacker to bypass the driver's access-control handshake and issue arbitrary privileged commands to the driver, resulting in disclosure of kernel and process memory.
Affected versions
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Watchguard | Endpoint Security | before 8.00.26.0012 |
Is it being exploited?
There is no public confirmation of exploitation at the time of publication. It does not appear in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. We will update this report if that changes.
What should you do?
- Identify whether the affected product and versions run in your environment.
- Apply the vendor update listed in the advisory as soon as it is available.
- Limit network exposure of the affected service until it is patched.
- Monitor the vendor advisory for updated guidance or exploitation reports.
What to do and how to stay safe: CVE-2026-13043
- Patch scores alone ignore context like network exposure and asset criticality.
- You must map vulnerabilities to specific business risks to prioritize correctly.
- Continuous exposure data replaces static scanning for accurate prioritization.
Prioritize vulnerabilities by actual exploitability and business impact, not by theoretical severity scores. Update your asset context and exposure data continuously to maintain accurate risk rankings.
Step-by-step guide: Risk Based Vulnerability Management: Prioritize Fixes by Actual Threat
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2026-13043?
CVE-2026-13043 is a missing authentication vulnerability in WatchGuard Endpoint Security.
How severe is CVE-2026-13043?
It has a CVSS score of 9.3 Critical.
Is CVE-2026-13043 being exploited?
There is no public confirmation of exploitation at the time of publication.
