CVE-2026-88920: Apache WSS4J · Authentication Bypass
Affects wss4jSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 4.0.2 : patch wss4j as a priority.
Data as of 14 Nov 2026, 20:44 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 48% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 4.0.2, 3.0.6, 2.4.4
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 30 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 14 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade org.apache.wss4j/wss4j to 4.0.2, 3.0.6 or 2.4.4.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Mavenorg.apache.wss4j/wss4jpkg:maven/org.apache.wss4j/wss4jOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 16.04 LTSwss4jpkg:deb/ubuntu/wss4j?arch=source&distro=xenialOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 18.04 LTSwss4jpkg:deb/ubuntu/wss4j?arch=source&distro=bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTSwss4jpkg:deb/ubuntu/wss4j?arch=source&distro=focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSwss4jpkg:deb/ubuntu/wss4j?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSwss4jpkg:deb/ubuntu/wss4j?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Apply the official fixes by upgrading Apache WSS4J to versions 4.0.2, 3.0.6, or 2.4.4 or later. These versions contain the patch that resolves the authentication bypass vulnerability. No alternative mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
CVE-2026-88920 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in the DOM security processor of Apache WSS4J. It enables unauthenticated remote attackers to forge authenticated SOAP messages by exploiting a crafted unsigned SAML sender-vouches assertion with an attacker-controlled key. This vulnerability is fixed in Apache WSS4J versions 4.0.2, 3.0.6, and 2.4.4.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88920 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/grt43m3bgbzz0mk0cnho3rcybb1j01z9 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/30/10 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-88920 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-88920 (opens in a new tab)