# CVE-2026-97720: Apache Impala: Impala Executor Webserver Auth Bypass

> Attackers can bypass authentication on Impala executor webservers configured for JWT/OAuth, gaining unauthorized access to resources.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Oct 2026
- **Updated:** 7 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-g6xq-6pmr-p37c

## What is CVE-2026-97720?

CVE-2026-97720 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Impala, published on 7 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Incorrect implementation of JWT/OAuth authentication in Impala executors in Apache Impala versions up to and including 4.5.2 which allows attacked to access resources served by the executor's webserver when that webserver is configured to accept JWT/OAuth tokens.  Bearer token (JWT) signatures are not validated resulting in the webserver accepting any valid JWT.
Users are recommended to either disable JWT/OAuth auth for Impala executors or upgrade to version 4.5.3, which fixes this issue.

Weakness: CWE-303 (Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-97720?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-97720?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-97720 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-97720 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-97720 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-97720 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-97720 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache Impala, published on 7 Oct 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-2026-97720 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apache Impala. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2026-97720/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-97720/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97720
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97720
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97720

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-97720/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.