GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc OpenSearch has a bypass of REST Layer Authorization Using Malformed Paths
Attackers can bypass REST-layer authorization via malformed paths to access restricted endpoints in custom OpenSearch plugins.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc?
GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc is an authentication bypass vulnerability in org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security, published on 7 May 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Description
A flaw was identified in the OpenSearch REST layer that could allow authorization checks to be bypassed when processing certain malformed HTTP requests. This could permit unauthorized access to restricted API endpoints in environments that rely on REST-layer authorization.
Transport-level authorization is not affected by this issue.
Impact
The default OpenSearch distribution is not affected by this issue. REST actions in the default distribution have corresponding transport actions that independently enforce authorization. Custom plugins that register REST actions without a corresponding transport action may be affected, potentially allowing unauthorized read access to those endpoints.
Patches
This issue is fixed in OpenSearch 2.19.0. Users should upgrade to 2.19.0 or later.
Which versions are affected by GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security Maven | From 2.11.0.0 | 2.19.0.0 |
org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security Maven | From 2.11.0.0 | 2.19.0.0 |
How do I fix GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc?
Upgrade org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security to 2.19.0.0 or later.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of GHSA-83x9-vc3c-hghc in the wild and no public exploit code.