# 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.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.2 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Sep 2026
- **Updated:** 15 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6c99-87fr-6q7r, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-45051

## 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 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-45051?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn.


| Package | Ecosystem | 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.

## Is CVE-2026-45051 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-45051 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-45051 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: 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.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-45051 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 16.1.1
- org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-auth-webauthn (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 16.1.1

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-2026-45051/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45051/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-45051
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45051
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45051

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-45051/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.