CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-94053NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

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

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-94053 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an LDAP query vulnerability in Apache MINA SSHD from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 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 2.20.0, 3.0.0-M6 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache MINA SSHD to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update Apache MINA SSHD to 2.20.0 or 3.0.0-M6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. 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 MINA SSHD1.2.0 up to, but not including, 2.20.0; 3.0.0-M1 up to, but not including, 3.0.0-M62.20.0, 3.0.0-M6

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
NoneAvailability is not affected.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (apache.org).

Official description

Authentication bypass via LDAP injection in component sshd-ldap in Apache MINA SSHD versions 1.2.0 to 2.19.0 and 3.0.0-M1 to 3.0.0-M5. Apache MINA SSHD is a Java library for client-side and server-side SSH. The optional sshd-ldap component provides support for integrating password and publickey authentication on the server side with an LDAP server. sshd-ldap is an optional component. SSH servers implemented with Apache MINA SSHD are affected only if they use sshd-ldap and do configure it to be used for password of public key authentication. Other Apache MINA SSHD servers are not affected. Lack of escaping LDAP filter metacharacters enabled successful authentication with username "*" and password "*". Users are recommended to upgrade affected applications to version 2.20.0 or 3.0.0-M6, which fix this issue by properly escaping filter parameters according to RFC 4515.

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: yes, technical impact: total).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Apache MINA SSHD

All Apache MINA SSHD vulnerabilities

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

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