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CVE-2026-88920: Vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache WSS4J

0
High
VulnerabilityCVE-2026-88920cvecve-2026-88920
Published: 09/30/2026 (09/30/2026, 11:58:00 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: Apache Software Foundation
Product: Apache WSS4J

Description

An authentication bypass in the DOM security processor in Apache WSS4J allows unauthenticated remote attackers to forge authenticated SOAP messages via a crafted unsigned SAML sender-vouches assertion containing an attacker-controlled key. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.0.2 or 3.0.6 or 2.4.4, which fix this issue.

Affected software

Apache Software Foundation

Apache WSS4J

Affected versions
>=4.0.0 <4.0.2>=3.0.0 <3.0.6>=0 <2.4.4
Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom
pkg:maven/Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom
Affected versions
>=4.0.0 <4.0.2>=3.0.0 <3.0.6>=0 <2.4.4

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AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 09/30/2026, 12:27:04 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2026-88920 describes an authentication bypass in Apache WSS4J's DOM security processor. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting an unsigned SAML sender-vouches assertion containing a key they control, enabling them to forge authenticated SOAP messages without proper authentication. This compromises the integrity of SOAP message authentication. The vulnerability affects versions 4.0.0 up to but not including 4.0.2, 3.0.0 up to but not including 3.0.6, and all versions prior to 2.4.4. Upgrading to fixed versions 4.0.2, 3.0.6, or 2.4.4 mitigates the issue.

Potential Impact

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication controls in the SOAP message processing, potentially enabling them to impersonate legitimate senders by forging authenticated messages. This could lead to unauthorized actions or access in systems relying on Apache WSS4J for SOAP message security.

Mitigation Recommendations

Users should upgrade Apache WSS4J to version 4.0.2, 3.0.6, or 2.4.4 or later, as these versions contain fixes for this authentication bypass vulnerability. No other mitigation steps are indicated by the vendor advisory.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.2
Assigner Short Name
apache
Date Reserved
2026-09-10T13:32:10.370Z
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 6abcfcc40df196e1a9fc0dd7

Added to database: 09/30/2026, 12:12:52 UTC

Last enriched: 09/30/2026, 12:27:04 UTC

Last updated: 09/30/2026, 13:03:41 UTC

Views: 4

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