# CVE-2026-48717: OpenAM OAuth Authorization Bypass via PKCE Challenge

> Attackers can bypass PKCE protection to redeem intercepted authorization codes, potentially taking over accounts in OpenAM deployments.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/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-4v2w-2wqp-mc85, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-48717

## What is CVE-2026-48717?

CVE-2026-48717 is a critical authentication bypass 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, AuthorizationCodeGrantTypeHandler requires a code_verifier only when the realm-wide codeVerifierEnforced setting is enabled, even when an authorization code stores a code_challenge. Because that setting is disabled by default, an attacker who intercepts a PKCE-protected authorization code can omit code_verifier and redeem the code, while an explicitly incorrect verifier is rejected. Public clients are directly affected, and confidential-client exploitation additionally requires client authentication material or another redemption context. This issue is fixed in version 16.1.1.

Weakness: CWE-285 (Improper Authorization)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48717?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2` | Maven | All versions | 16.1.1 |
| `org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2` | Maven | All versions | 16.1.1 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-48717?

Upgrade org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2 to 16.1.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-48717 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-48717 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-48717 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-48717 is a critical authentication bypass 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-2026-48717 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2 (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 16.1.1
- org.openidentityplatform.openam:openam-oauth2 (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-2026-48717/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48717/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-48717
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48717
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-48717

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-48717/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.