CVE-2026-56144: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in Elastic Elasticsearch
Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863) in Elasticsearch can allow an authenticated user with limited index privileges to exploit insufficient authorization controls in the ingest simulation feature. By targeting indices they are not authorized to access directly, the user can cause those indices' configured ingest pipelines to execute and return their output, potentially disclosing data processed or enriched by those pipelines. Additionally, the same feature can be used to retrieve index mapping metadata for indices the user are not authorized to access directly.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CWE-863) in Elasticsearch arises from improper authorization checks in the ingest simulation feature. Authenticated users with limited privileges can cause ingest pipelines configured on unauthorized indices to execute and return output, potentially exposing sensitive data processed or enriched by those pipelines. Additionally, the feature can be abused to access index mapping metadata for indices outside the user's authorization scope. The affected versions explicitly include Elasticsearch 8.12.0, 9.0.0, and 9.4.0. No official remediation or patch is currently documented, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited authenticated privileges can access data processed by ingest pipelines on indices they should not access, leading to potential data disclosure. They can also retrieve metadata about unauthorized indices. There is no indication of integrity or availability impact. The vulnerability has a medium severity with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no official fix or remediation level is documented, users should monitor Elastic's advisories for updates. Until a fix is available, restrict user privileges carefully and avoid granting unnecessary access to the ingest simulation feature.
CVE-2026-56144: CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization in Elastic Elasticsearch
Description
Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863) in Elasticsearch can allow an authenticated user with limited index privileges to exploit insufficient authorization controls in the ingest simulation feature. By targeting indices they are not authorized to access directly, the user can cause those indices' configured ingest pipelines to execute and return their output, potentially disclosing data processed or enriched by those pipelines. Additionally, the same feature can be used to retrieve index mapping metadata for indices the user are not authorized to access directly.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.3medium
Affected software
pkg:maven/org.elasticsearch/elasticsearchRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-863) in Elasticsearch arises from improper authorization checks in the ingest simulation feature. Authenticated users with limited privileges can cause ingest pipelines configured on unauthorized indices to execute and return output, potentially exposing sensitive data processed or enriched by those pipelines. Additionally, the feature can be abused to access index mapping metadata for indices outside the user's authorization scope. The affected versions explicitly include Elasticsearch 8.12.0, 9.0.0, and 9.4.0. No official remediation or patch is currently documented, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited authenticated privileges can access data processed by ingest pipelines on indices they should not access, leading to potential data disclosure. They can also retrieve metadata about unauthorized indices. There is no indication of integrity or availability impact. The vulnerability has a medium severity with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no official fix or remediation level is documented, users should monitor Elastic's advisories for updates. Until a fix is available, restrict user privileges carefully and avoid granting unnecessary access to the ingest simulation feature.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- elastic
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-19T11:01:02.535Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a5fd4a51010f89cc22494e0
Added to database: 07/21/2026, 20:20:53 UTC
Last enriched: 07/21/2026, 20:36:14 UTC
Last updated: 07/21/2026, 22:42:35 UTC
Views: 6
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