Apache ZooKeeper: Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch
CVE-2026-59969 is a high-severity improper validation of certificate with host mismatch vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Apache ZooKeeper versions: 3.9.0 through 3.9.5; 3.8.0 through 3.8.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Zookeeper to 3.8.7 or 3.9.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on lists.apache.org 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache ZooKeeper | 3.9.0 through 3.9.5; 3.8.0 through 3.8.6 | Not stated |
| Apache | Zookeeper | 3.8.0 up to, but not including, 3.8.7; 3.9.0 up to, but not including, 3.9.6 | 3.8.7, 3.9.6 |
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
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Apache ZooKeeper quorum TLS fails to enforce peer hostname verification in FIPS-mode deployments. When sslQuorum=true, zookeeper.fips-mode=true, ssl.quorum.hostnameVerification=true, and ssl.quorum.clientHostnameVerification=true are enabled, the Java SSLSocket quorum path accepts a CA-trusted peer certificate whose SAN does not match the connected host. A malicious or misissued peer certificate can therefore join quorum traffic, participate in leader election, and enter replication flows. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.8.7 or 3.9.6, which fixes the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch
The product communicates with a host that provides a certificate, but the product does not properly ensure that the certificate is actually associated with that host.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- In order to ensure data integrity, the certificate must be valid, and it must pertain to the site that is being accessed.Fully check the hostname of the certificate and provide the user with adequate information about the nature of the problem and how to proceed.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
- Be careful of other weaknesses in the code that checks the hostname, since it is still possible to incorrectly check the hostname. For example, attackers could create a certificate with a name that begins with a trusted name followed by a NUL byte, which could cause some string-based comparisons to only examine the portion that contains the trusted name.
More Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch vulnerabilities (CWE-297)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Apache ZooKeeper
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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