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Security Bulletin: IBM ContextForge Translate is affected by cross-client credential context confusion

Security Bulletin


Summary

IBM ContextForge Translate utility contains a credential context confusion vulnerability in the Translate service (`mcpgateway/translate.py`) when the `--enable-dynamic-env` opt-in flag is active. The Translate service is a standalone component within the IBM ContextForge codebase that bridges HTTP/SSE clients to stdio-based MCP servers; it is separate from the ContextForge MCP Gateway. The Translate service maps request headers (such as `Authorization`) into subprocess environment variables and forwards JSON-RPC messages to a single shared stdio subprocess; a 30-second restart limiter can allow a second connected client to have its request executed under the first client's credential-derived environment, exposing cross-client data and permitting actions to be performed under the wrong identity.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:   CVE-2026-18489
DESCRIPTION:   MCP Context Forge could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information from other sessions due to exposure of data elements to the wrong session.
CWE:   CWE-488: Exposure of Data Element to Wrong Session
CVSS Source:   IBM
CVSS Base score:   7.1
CVSS Vector:   (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N)

Affected Products and Versions

Affected Product(s)Version(s)
IBM ContextForge MCP Gateway - Translate utility
<= 1.0.8

 

Remediation/Fixes

IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.

The IBM ContextForge Translate service is intended **only for local, single-session development use**. It does not provide the session isolation required for production or multi-client deployments. Users must ensure the Translate service is not exposed in any production capacity.

PR [#6388](https://github.com/IBM/mcp-context-forge/pull/6388) (merged 2026-08-24) updates the product documentation to make this restriction explicit, removing previous guidance that could have implied multi-tenant production suitability.

Workarounds and Mitigations

Do not use the IBM ContextForge Translate service in any production or multi-client environment. The service is designed exclusively for local development scenarios where only a single client session is expected. This applies regardless of whether `--enable-dynamic-env` is active.

If the Translate service is currently running in a non-development environment:
1. Stop the Translate service and remove it from any production deployment immediately.
2. Rotate any credentials (API tokens, `Authorization` headers) that may have been mapped into the shared subprocess environment while multiple clients were connected.
3. Review audit logs for tool calls where the HTTP caller identity may not match the subprocess credential context.

Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins

References

Off

Acknowledgement

Change History

02 Sep 2026: Initial Publication

*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.

Disclaimer

According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
02 September 2026

Initial Publish date:
02 September 2026

UID

ibm17286056