CVE-2026-45051 OpenAM Pre-auth RCE via Java Deserialization in WebAuthn Authenticator Storage
Attackers can execute arbitrary code in OpenAM by exploiting unsafe Java deserialization in WebAuthn storage, provided specific non-default configurations and data access are present.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-45051?
CVE-2026-45051 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in OpenIdentityPlatform OpenAM, published on 15 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Open Access Management (OpenAM) is an access management solution. Prior to 16.1.1, WebAuthnAuthentication loads a serialized AuthenticatorImpl object graph from the configured userAttribute through loadAuthenticators without an ObjectInputFilter. Exploitation requires the WebAuthn flow to be reachable and an attacker to have previously written controlled data to that attribute through delegated administration, provisioning, directory access, legacy REST self-registration, or unsafe configuration. When those non-default conditions hold, the data is deserialized before assertion verification and can execute a classpath gadget in the application server process. This issue is fixed in version 16.1.1.
Weakness: CWE-502
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-45051?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn Maven | All versions | 16.1.1 |
org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn Maven | All versions | 16.1.1 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-45051?
Upgrade org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn to 16.1.1 or later.
Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.
Is CVE-2026-45051 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-45051 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-6c99-87fr-6q7r, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-45051.