CVE-2026-97791
Apache CXF: STSTokenValidator can accept untrusted SAML assertions because it shares validation state between requests
Description
In Apache CXF, STSTokenValidator checks whether a SAML assertion is signed by a trusted certificate before deciding to send it to the STS. That result was stored in one object shared by all requests, so one request could read another's result. A remote, unauthenticated attacker could send a forged assertion signed with an untrusted certificate while legitimate requests were being processed, and it could be accepted as trusted without ever reaching the STS. Only services that use STSTokenValidator to validate SAML tokens without alwaysValidateToSts set are affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.4 or 4.1.9 or 3.6.13, which fix this issue.
INFO
Published Date :
Oct. 9, 2026, 11:17 a.m.
Last Modified :
Oct. 9, 2026, 12:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
Solution
- Upgrade to Apache CXF version 4.2.4 or later.
- Upgrade to Apache CXF version 4.1.9 or later.
- Upgrade to Apache CXF version 3.6.13 or later.
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-2026-97791.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ssdr417qgms9fjl0m8802xd8170wnk1l | |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/09/10 |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-97791 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-2026-97791
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-2026-97791 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-97791 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.
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CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Oct. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/10/09/10 -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Oct. 09, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In Apache CXF, STSTokenValidator checks whether a SAML assertion is signed by a trusted certificate before deciding to send it to the STS. That result was stored in one object shared by all requests, so one request could read another's result. A remote, unauthenticated attacker could send a forged assertion signed with an untrusted certificate while legitimate requests were being processed, and it could be accepted as trusted without ever reaching the STS. Only services that use STSTokenValidator to validate SAML tokens without alwaysValidateToSts set are affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.4 or 4.1.9 or 3.6.13, which fix this issue. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/97xxx/CVE-2026-97791.json">CVE-2026-97791</a> Added Reference https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ssdr417qgms9fjl0m8802xd8170wnk1l