# CVE-2026-75020: Apache APISIX: ldap-auth plugin cross-subtree identity impersonation

> Attackers with valid credentials can impersonate other users via LDAP injection in Apache APISIX, bypassing access controls.

- **Severity:** High 7.0 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/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:** 27 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 27 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** BIT-apisix-2026-75020, GHSA-fm68-53hc-8wxg, MINI-48f5-v7vh-jqh4

## What is CVE-2026-75020?

CVE-2026-75020 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache APISIX, published on 27 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query ('LDAP Injection') vulnerability in Apache APISIX.

A caller who holds valid credentials for one entry in the LDAP directory can authenticate through APISIX as a consumer mapped to a different entry, one the plugin's configured scope was meant to keep out of reach.

This issue affects Apache APISIX: from 2.11.0 through 3.17.0.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.18.0, which fixes the issue.

Weakness: CWE-90 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-75020?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including apisix. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `apisix` | Bitnami | From 2.11.0 | 3.18.0 |

Products: Apache Apisix.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-75020?

Upgrade apisix to 3.18.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-75020 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-75020 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache APISIX

- [CVE-2022-24112](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-24112/): Apache APISIX Authentication Bypass (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-25757](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-25757/): Apache APISIX: the body_schema check in request-validation plugin can be bypassed (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-31908](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-31908/): Apache APISIX: forward auth plugin allows header injection (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2026-75005](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-75005/): Apache APISIX: Unauthenticated CPU-exhaustion DoS (high 8.7)
- [CVE-2025-27446](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27446/): Privilege escalation in Apache APISIX Java Plugin Runner (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-75020 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-75020 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache APISIX, published on 27 Aug 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-2026-75020 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- apisix (Bitnami): affected from 2.11.0; fixed in 3.18.0

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-2026-75020/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-75020/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-75020
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-75020
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-75020

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-75020/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.