CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-44930NVD status: Modified

Apache CXF: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-44930 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an LDAP query vulnerability in Apache CXF from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 4.2.1, 4.1.6, 3.6.11 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache CXF to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update Apache CXF to 4.2.1 or 4.1.6 or 3.6.11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update Cxf to 3.6.11 or 4.1.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on lists.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ApacheApache CXF4.2.0 up to, but not including, 4.2.1; 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.6; before 3.6.114.2.1, 4.1.6, 3.6.11
Red HatRed Hat build of Apache Camel 4.18.1.P1 for Spring Boot 3.5.16Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Fuse 7Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform Expansion PackNot specified in the recordNot stated
ApacheCxfbefore 3.6.11; 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.6; 4.2.03.6.11, 4.1.6

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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 3.14.3MediumCISA (ADP)
CVSS 3.17.5HighCNA

Official description

An LDAP injection vulnerability in the LDAP Certificate repository of the XKMS server in Apache CXF may allow an attacker to retrieve arbitrary certificates from the repository. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.1, 4.1.6 or 3.6.11, which fix this issue.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query

The product constructs all or part of an LDAP query using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended LDAP query when it is sent to a downstream component.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query vulnerabilities (CWE-90)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Apache CXF

All Apache CXF vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query vulnerabilities

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