CVE-2026-97468 Apache CXF: Authentication bypass via weak cache keys for validated STS tokens

Critical 9.1 Published 9 Oct 2026 Updated 15 Oct 2026

Attackers can bypass authentication in Apache CXF by crafting tokens that collide with cached validated tokens, allowing them to impersonate other users.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2026-97468?

CVE-2026-97468 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 9 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Apache CXF's STSTokenValidator and Security Token Service (STS) cached validated security tokens under a non-cryptographic 32-bit hash of the token (Java Arrays.hashCode/hashCode()), and treated a cache hit as proof that the presented token had already been validated. An attacker could craft a token (for example a UsernameToken or a self-signed SAML Assertion) whose hash collides with a cached entry. The token would then be accepted without password validation, signature trust verification or a call to the STS. This could let the attacker authenticate as another user and, through STS token validation or renewal, obtain STS-signed tokens for that identity. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.4 or 4.1.9 or 3.6.13, which fix this issue.

Weakness: CWE-328

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-97468?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Apache Cxf.

How do I fix CVE-2026-97468?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2026-97468 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-97468 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Apache Cxf vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as CLEANSTART-2026-IM33662, GHSA-hw52-jg43-v867.