Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-97847 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 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. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% 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
- Check which version of Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4.17 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.6 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.6.8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Single Sign-On 7 | Not specified in the record | 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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw was found in the protocol mapper and identity resolution components of Keycloak. The issue occurs when a client manager uses hardcoded-claim mappers to override identity claims in sessionless service-account tokens. Because these tokens lack a session ID, Keycloak may incorrectly resolve the token bearer as a different, highly privileged user based on the manipulated claims. This can allow an attacker with limited client management permissions to impersonate a realm administrator and gain full control over the realm.
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
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
GPUStack Improper Authentication Exploited
- 10.0 Critical severity
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