uds-identity-config: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-46389 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in uds-identity-config from Defenseunicorns, 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. Affected uds-identity-config versions: >= 0.11.0, < 0.26.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of uds-identity-config you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defenseunicorns | uds-identity-config | >= 0.11.0, < 0.26.1 | 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
- 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 system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS Core's Identity deployment. In versions 0.11.0 through 0.26.0, a logic error in the `client-kubernetes-secret` Keycloak client authenticator (shipped by `uds-identity-config` and consumed by UDS Core) causes the submitted `client_secret` to be overwritten with the mounted Kubernetes secret before comparison. An attacker who can reach the Keycloak token endpoint and knows a `client_id` using this authenticator can authenticate as that client with any `client_secret` value and obtain OAuth2 tokens scoped to the client's service account. In the case of the `uds-operator` client this token can be used to registry/modify other clients. Version 0.26.1 patches the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- github.com/defenseunicorns/uds-identity-config/releases/tag/v0.26.1Product, Release Notes
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
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