CVE-2026-97468: Vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache CXF
Description
Apache CXF's STSTokenValidator and Security Token Service (STS) cached validated security tokens under a non-cryptographic 32-bit hash of the token (Java Arrays.hashCode/hashCode()), and treated a cache hit as proof that the presented token had already been validated. An attacker could craft a token (for example a UsernameToken or a self-signed SAML Assertion) whose hash collides with a cached entry. The token would then be accepted without password validation, signature trust verification or a call to the STS. This could let the attacker authenticate as another user and, through STS token validation or renewal, obtain STS-signed tokens for that identity. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.4 or 4.1.9 or 3.6.13, which fix this issue.
Affected software
Apache Software Foundation
Apache CXF
pkg:maven/Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.cxf:cxf-rt-ws-securityRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Apache CXF's STSTokenValidator and STS cache validated security tokens using a non-cryptographic 32-bit hash (Java Arrays.hashCode). A cache hit is treated as proof of prior validation. An attacker can craft a token with a hash collision to a cached token, bypassing password validation, signature trust verification, and STS calls. This vulnerability allows authentication as another user and obtaining STS-signed tokens for that identity. The issue is fixed in Apache CXF versions 4.2.4, 4.1.9, and 3.6.13.
Potential Impact
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can authenticate as another user without proper credential verification and obtain STS-signed tokens for that identity. This can lead to unauthorized access and impersonation within systems relying on Apache CXF's STS for authentication.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users should upgrade Apache CXF to versions 4.2.4, 4.1.9, or 3.6.13 or later, which contain fixes for this vulnerability. No other mitigation is indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-24T15:28:31.804Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ac8c31f2cdf04f6564c0cdb
Added to database: 10/09/2026, 10:34:07 UTC
Last enriched: 10/09/2026, 10:48:59 UTC
Last updated: 10/09/2026, 18:57:32 UTC
Views: 14
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