# CVE-2025-11538: Keycloak-server: debug default bind address

> Enabling debug mode binds JDWP to all interfaces, allowing network attackers to achieve remote code execution in Keycloak.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Nov 2025
- **Updated:** 19 Dec 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-j4vq-q93m-4683, MINI-49pv-8q97-2chg, MINI-7fc6-jqc2-gp69

## What is CVE-2025-11538?

CVE-2025-11538 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4, published on 13 Nov 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability exists in Keycloak's server distribution where enabling debug mode (--debug <port>) insecurely defaults to binding the Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) port to all network interfaces (0.0.0.0). This exposes the debug port to the local network, allowing an attacker on the same network segment to attach a remote debugger and achieve remote code execution within the Keycloak Java virtual machine.

Weakness: CWE-1327 (Binding to an Unrestricted IP Address)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-11538?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist` | Maven | All versions | 26.4.4 |
| `org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist` | Maven | All versions | 26.4.4 |

## How do I fix CVE-2025-11538?

Upgrade org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist to 26.4.4 or later.

## Is CVE-2025-11538 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-11538 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2025-11538 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2025-11538 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Red Hat build of Keycloak 26.4, published on 13 Nov 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-11538 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 26.4.4
- org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 26.4.4

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11538/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11538/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-11538
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11538
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2025-11538

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11538/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.