Read the docs
TI-2026-66756 Aliases GHSA-rc6v-5rmx-w5mv

arnika is affected by medium-severity issues in UDP rotation, PQC handling, and KMS TLS

Priority LOW 38CWE-294Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
—
Privileges required
—
User interaction
—
Attack complexity
—
Impact type
Security bypass, Spoofing
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
—
Fix status
Fixed

No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-294 and CWE-295.

Summary

### Summary Three medium-severity issues in arnika affecting the UDP key-rotation protocol, PQC key file handling, and KMS TLS client. All require specific preconditions to exploit and do not allow direct code execution or immediate key extraction. A self-contained PoC is attached. ### Details 1) ACK timestamp not validated: `udpserver.go:185` `udpClient()` verifies HMAC and packet type but never checks `ackPkt.Timestamp`. A MITM can capture one ACK, drop all subsequent DATA packets, and replay the stale ACK indefinitely. Primary advances PSK each rotation, backup stays on key 1, tunnel breaks. No PSK knowledge needed. The server side already has this check, the client does not. **Fix**: mirror the timestamp check already present on the server side. 2) Empty PQC key file silently accepted: `repositories/pqc.go:29` `os.ReadFile` follows symlinks. Empty file to `base64.Decode("") = []byte{}, nil`. HKDF runs on the QKD key alone while arnika logs `[OK] HKDF derivation completed for QKD+PQC key`. Requires write access to the directory containing `PQC_PSK_FILE`. **Fix**: validate decoded key is non-empty before derivation; enforce parent directory permissions in `SECURITY.md`. 3) `InsecureSkipVerify: true` hardcoded: `repositories/kms.go:61` KMS HTTP client unconditionally sets `InsecureSkipVerify: true`, overriding `RootCAs`. `CA_CERTIFICATE` is loaded but never consulted (dead code). Requires MITM between arnika and the KMS endpoint, which in typical deployments are co-located. **Fix**: remove the flag; `RootCAs` already holds the correct pool when `CA_CERTIFICATE` is configured. ### PoC See [arnika_exploit.tar.gz](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/27585454/arnika_exploit.tar.gz). PoC shows observable behavior for each attack; the third one (KMS MITM) needs no custom code, any HTTPS proxy with a self-signed cert is enough. ### Impact Issues require network MITM or local directory write access to exploit. No direct key extraction or code execution. Primary impact is tunnel desync and silent security downgrade in hybrid QKD+PQC mode.

Why it matters now

Fix Fixed github.com/arnika-project/arnika (Go): 1.0.1

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
—github.com/arnika-project/arnika (Go)before 1.0.11.0.1Patch availableGHSA-rc6v-5rmx-w5mv
  • github.com/arnika-project/arnika (Go) Vendor— Affected before 1.0.1 Fixed in 1.0.1 Patch available GHSA-rc6v-5rmx-w5mv

Remediation

  • Fix · GHSA-rc6v-5rmx-w5mv github.com/arnika-project/arnika (Go) Fixed in 1.0.1 Advisory →

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-rc6v-5rmx-w5mv

References

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences