CVE-2018-17196 Improper Input Validation in Apache Kafka
Authenticated clients with write permissions can bypass transaction and idempotent ACL validation in Apache Kafka, allowing unauthorized actions.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2018-17196?
CVE-2018-17196 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Apache Kafka, published on 11 Jul 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In Apache Kafka versions between 0.11.0.0 and 2.1.0, it is possible to manually craft a Produce request which bypasses transaction/idempotent ACL validation. Only authenticated clients with Write permission on the respective topics are able to exploit this vulnerability. Users should upgrade to 2.1.1 or later where this vulnerability has been fixed.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-17196?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.kafka:kafka. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
org.apache.kafka:kafka Maven | From 0.11.0.0 | 2.1.1 |
org.apache.kafka:kafka Maven | From 0.11.0.0 | 2.1.1 |
Products include Apache Kafka.
How do I fix CVE-2018-17196?
Upgrade org.apache.kafka:kafka to 2.1.1 or later.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2018-17196 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17196 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Kafka
- CVE-2026-33557 Apache Kafka: Missing JWT token validation in OAUTHBEARER authentication
- CVE-2025-27818 Apache Kafka: Possible RCE attack via SASL JAAS LdapLoginModule configuration
- CVE-2026-35554 Apache Kafka Clients: Kafka Producer Message Corruption and Misrouting via Buffer Pool Race Condition
- CVE-2025-27817 Apache Kafka Client: Arbitrary file read and SSRF vulnerability
- CVE-2025-27819 Apache Kafka: Possible RCE/Denial of service attack via SASL JAAS JndiLoginModule configuration
Sources
Also known as GHSA-47w3-66wq-cpxg.