keystonemiddleware: Authentication Bypass by Spoofing
CVE-2026-22797 is a critical-severity authentication bypass by spoofing vulnerability in keystonemiddleware from OpenStack, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 10.7.2, 10.9.1, 10.12.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating keystonemiddleware to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.65% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 52% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update keystonemiddleware to 10.7.2 or 10.9.1 or 10.12.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenStack | keystonemiddleware | 10.5.0 up to, but not including, 10.7.2; 10.8.0 up to, but not including, 10.9.1; 10.10.0 up to, but not including, 10.12.1 | 10.7.2, 10.9.1, 10.12.1 |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.17 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.18 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.19 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.20 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.21 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenStack Platform 13 (Queens) | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenStack Platform 16.2 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenStack Platform 17.1 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat OpenStack Platform 18.0 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (mitre.org).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.9 | Critical | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.9 | Critical | CNA |
Official description
An issue was discovered in OpenStack keystonemiddleware 10.5 through 10.7 before 10.7.2, 10.8 and 10.9 before 10.9.1, and 10.10 through 10.12 before 10.12.1. The external_oauth2_token middleware fails to sanitize incoming authentication headers before processing OAuth 2.0 tokens. By sending forged identity headers such as X-Is-Admin-Project, X-Roles, or X-User-Id, an authenticated attacker may escalate privileges or impersonate other users. All deployments using the external_oauth2_token middleware are affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass by Spoofing
This attack-focused weakness is caused by incorrectly implemented authentication schemes that are subject to spoofing attacks.
More Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerabilities (CWE-290)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- launchpad.net/bugs/2129018
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/16/9
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/15/1
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/16/2
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/16/3
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/16/9
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3402
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3855
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:4434
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5133
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5907
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-22797
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2430879
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-22797.json
Other vulnerabilities in keystonemiddleware
- 8.3 High severity
Recent Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
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