Apache CXF: STSTokenValidator can accept untrusted SAML assertions because it shares validation state between requests
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.
CVE-2026-97791
Primary source · Revision 1
Imported from structured advisory data. Source references identify upstream records or fields; verify affected versions and your deployed configuration.
Security context
Source reference: cve:CVE-2026-97791
Apache CXF
Source reference: /containers/cna/affected/0/product
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- Not stated in this record
- Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
Structured affected-version data
Original package identities and version rules from this source.
[
{
"vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
"product": "Apache CXF",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "4.2.0",
"lessThan": "4.2.4",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "4.0.0",
"lessThan": "4.1.9",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "0",
"lessThan": "3.6.13",
"versionType": "semver"
}
],
"packageURL": "pkg:maven/org.apache.cxf/cxf-rt-ws-security",
"packageName": "org.apache.cxf:cxf-rt-ws-security",
"collectionURL": "https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2",
"defaultStatus": "unaffected"
}
]- Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-97791
Source reference:
/cveMetadata/cveId
Publisher severity
No explicit severity was provided.
- Event
- #29920 · Revision 1
- Added to Heist Feed
- Publisher date