Apache Tomcat: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-68569 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Apache Tomcat from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 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. Affected Apache Tomcat versions: 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.24; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.57; 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.120, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% 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 Tomcat to 9.0.121 or 10.1.58 or 11.0.25, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on lists.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Tomcat | 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.24; 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.57; 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.120; 8.5.0 through 8.5.100; 7.0.0 through 7.0.109 | Not stated |
| Apache | Tomcat | 7.0.0 through 7.0.109; 8.5.0 up to, but not including, 9.0.121; 10.1.0 up to, but not including, 10.1.58; 11.0.0 up to, but not including, 11.0.25 | 9.0.121, 10.1.58, 11.0.25 |
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
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Improper Authentication vulnerability in Apache Tomcat meant that in some circumstances (e.g. CLIENT-CERT, SPNEGO) that a user would be authenticated even if the user did not exist in the DataSourceRealm. This issue affects Apache Tomcat: from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.24, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.57, from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.120. The following versions were EOL at the time the CVE was created but are known to be affected: from 8.5.0 through 8.5.100, from 7.0.0 through 7.0.109. Other unsupported versions may also be affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 11.0.25, 10.1.58 or 9.0.121, which fix 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: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/26/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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