CVE-2026-56457: HCL DevOps Deploy & HCL Launch Information Disclosure in Logs

Technical summary

CVE-2026-56457 is an information disclosure vulnerability in HCL DevOps Deploy and HCL Launch that results in exposure of sensitive data in step output logs. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-532 (Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File). With a CVSS 3.1 score of 4.3 (MEDIUM severity), the attack vector is network-based, requires low privileges and no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality of data in the security context of the affected system.

Business impact

The exposure of sensitive information in logs can compromise credentials, API keys, tokens, and other secrets used in deployment pipelines. Teams using HCL DevOps Deploy or HCL Launch for CI/CD automation may inadvertently expose sensitive operational data to anyone with access to system logs. This increases insider threat risk and creates potential pathways for privilege escalation or lateral movement if credentials are harvested from logs.

Affected systems

HCL DevOps Deploy and HCL Launch are affected. Organizations using either product for deployment automation, release orchestration, or continuous delivery workflows should review their instances for exposure. Check your environment to confirm which versions are running and assess whether log access controls are properly restricted.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires authenticated access to the HCL system and the ability to read output logs. The attack vector is network-accessible, and no user interaction is required. An attacker with valid credentials—or anyone who can access logs through misconfigured storage, log aggregation systems, or shared log repositories—could potentially extract sensitive values. The barrier to exploitation is moderate due to the authentication requirement, but the prevalence of overly permissive log access in many environments elevates practical risk.

Remediation

Apply security patches released by HCL TechSW for both HCL DevOps Deploy and HCL Launch. Simultaneously, implement compensating controls: restrict log file access to authorized personnel only, redact or mask sensitive data in logs using output filters or log processing pipelines, and audit who has read access to deployment logs. Consider integrating secret management tools to avoid logging secrets in the first place.

Patch guidance

Consult the HCL TechSW security advisories for HCL DevOps Deploy and HCL Launch to identify the specific patched versions addressing CVE-2026-56457. Apply patches to both products in your environment according to your change management schedule. Test patches in a non-production environment first to confirm compatibility with your deployment workflows before rolling out to production.

Detection guidance

Monitor for unauthorized or unusual access to log files and log aggregation systems. Implement log integrity monitoring to detect if logs have been accessed or exfiltrated. Search existing logs for patterns of sensitive data exposure (e.g., API keys, tokens, passwords in clear text) in step outputs. Review access controls and audit logs for HCL systems to identify who has accessed deployment logs recently. Use secrets scanning tools against log repositories to identify any previously exposed sensitive values.

Why prioritize this

While the CVSS score is MEDIUM (4.3), the vulnerability warrants prompt attention because it directly compromises credential confidentiality in CI/CD environments. Exposure of deployment secrets can have downstream security implications across your entire infrastructure. The vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA KEV catalog, but the combination of network accessibility, low privilege requirements, and high-value target (deployment automation systems handling secrets) makes this a candidate for near-term exploitation if log access controls are weak.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 4.3 reflects a MEDIUM severity due to the confidentiality impact, network-based attack vector, and low privilege requirement, but is capped by the need for authentication and the limited scope (confidentiality only, no integrity or availability impact). In practice, organizational risk may be higher if log access is not properly controlled, as the barrier between authentication and sensitive data exposure can be minimal in many environments.

Frequently asked questions