CVE-2026-84439
Apache ZooKeeper: Audit log injection via unsanitized output from multiple sources
Description
When audit logging is enabled (zookeeper.audit.enable=true), an unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary fields into Apache ZooKeeper's audit log by sending a digest authentication request with tab characters (\t) embedded in the username. Because the audit log uses tab-separated key=value format, the injected tabs are parsed as legitimate field separators, allowing the attacker to spoof audit results (e.g., injecting result=success), forge operation types, and corrupt forensic evidence. A log injection vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper allows a client that can call setACL to inject forged key-value fields into zookeeper_audit.log. When audit logging is enabled, the server serializes attacker-controlled digest ACL ids into the acl= audit field without escaping tab characters. Because audit events are emitted as tab-separated key=value records, a crafted ACL id can make one successful setAcl event appear to contain forged fields such as operation=delete and znode=/forged. This undermines the integrity of downstream audit parsing, alerting, and incident response. This issue affects Apache ZooKeeper: from 3.9.0 through 3.9.5, from 3.8.0 through 3.8.6. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.6 or 3.8.7, which fixes the issue.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 16, 2026, 10:16 a.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 18, 2026, 2:37 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 |
Solution
- Upgrade ZooKeeper to version 3.9.6 or 3.8.7.
- Apply vendor-provided security patches.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-84439.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://lists.apache.org/thread/b7qnjvqjh393l0j07tmnb5ggg40sx3m6 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/6 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-84439 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-84439
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-84439 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-84439 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Sep. 18, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:apache:zookeeper:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 3.8.0 up to (excluding) 3.8.7 *cpe:2.3:a:apache:zookeeper:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 3.9.0 up to (excluding) 3.9.6 Added Reference Type Apache Software Foundation: https://lists.apache.org/thread/b7qnjvqjh393l0j07tmnb5ggg40sx3m6 Types: Mailing List, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type CVE: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/6 Types: Mailing List, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Sep. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-84439', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'yes'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-09-17T19:14:36.442526Z'} -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Sep. 16, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/6 -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Sep. 16, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description When audit logging is enabled (zookeeper.audit.enable=true), an unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary fields into Apache ZooKeeper's audit log by sending a digest authentication request with tab characters (\t) embedded in the username. Because the audit log uses tab-separated key=value format, the injected tabs are parsed as legitimate field separators, allowing the attacker to spoof audit results (e.g., injecting result=success), forge operation types, and corrupt forensic evidence. A log injection vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper allows a client that can call setACL to inject forged key-value fields into zookeeper_audit.log. When audit logging is enabled, the server serializes attacker-controlled digest ACL ids into the acl= audit field without escaping tab characters. Because audit events are emitted as tab-separated key=value records, a crafted ACL id can make one successful setAcl event appear to contain forged fields such as operation=delete and znode=/forged. This undermines the integrity of downstream audit parsing, alerting, and incident response. This issue affects Apache ZooKeeper: from 3.9.0 through 3.9.5, from 3.8.0 through 3.8.6. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.6 or 3.8.7, which fixes the issue. Added CWE CWE-117 Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/84xxx/CVE-2026-84439.json">CVE-2026-84439</a> Added Reference https://lists.apache.org/thread/b7qnjvqjh393l0j07tmnb5ggg40sx3m6