Uncontrolled Recursion in Elasticsearch Leading to Denial of Service (CVE-2026-72683)
CVE-2026-72683 is a vulnerability in Elasticsearch where an authenticated user with privileges to invoke the simulate pipeline API can submit a request that creates a self-referential data structure. This causes an internal component to recurse indefinitely, leading to a fatal error that terminates the node process and results in denial of service. The flaw affects multiple Elasticsearch versions prior to patched releases. No known exploits are reported in the wild. A patch is available to address this issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in Elasticsearch allows an authenticated user with simulate pipeline API privileges to craft a request that generates a self-referential data structure. When processed, this structure causes uncontrolled recursion in an internal component, triggering a fatal unhandled error that crashes the node process and causes denial of service. The affected versions include >=5.0.0 <8.19.19, >=9.3.0 <9.3.8, and >=9.4.0 <9.4.4. The issue does not have a CVSS score but is rated medium severity. No known active exploitation has been reported. A patch is available from the vendor.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service by crashing the Elasticsearch node process due to unbounded recursion and a fatal error. This disrupts service availability for affected Elasticsearch nodes. No data confidentiality or integrity impacts are described.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Users should upgrade affected Elasticsearch versions to the fixed releases at or beyond 8.19.19, 9.3.8, and 9.4.4. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation requires applying vendor patches. No additional mitigations are specified.
Uncontrolled Recursion in Elasticsearch Leading to Denial of Service (CVE-2026-72683)
Description
CVE-2026-72683 is a vulnerability in Elasticsearch where an authenticated user with privileges to invoke the simulate pipeline API can submit a request that creates a self-referential data structure. This causes an internal component to recurse indefinitely, leading to a fatal error that terminates the node process and results in denial of service. The flaw affects multiple Elasticsearch versions prior to patched releases. No known exploits are reported in the wild. A patch is available to address this issue.
Affected software
pkg:bitnami/elasticsearchRun 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
This vulnerability in Elasticsearch allows an authenticated user with simulate pipeline API privileges to craft a request that generates a self-referential data structure. When processed, this structure causes uncontrolled recursion in an internal component, triggering a fatal unhandled error that crashes the node process and causes denial of service. The affected versions include >=5.0.0 <8.19.19, >=9.3.0 <9.3.8, and >=9.4.0 <9.4.4. The issue does not have a CVSS score but is rated medium severity. No known active exploitation has been reported. A patch is available from the vendor.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service by crashing the Elasticsearch node process due to unbounded recursion and a fatal error. This disrupts service availability for affected Elasticsearch nodes. No data confidentiality or integrity impacts are described.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Users should upgrade affected Elasticsearch versions to the fixed releases at or beyond 8.19.19, 9.3.8, and 9.4.4. Since this is not a cloud service, remediation requires applying vendor patches. No additional mitigations are specified.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- BIT-elasticsearch-2026-72683
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.6.2
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-72683"]
- Ecosystems
- ["Bitnami"]
- Database Specific Severity
- Medium
- Cvss Version
- null
Threat ID: 6a85b4b1acd9273b4925109a
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 13:50:41 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 14:10:29 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 23:52:00 UTC
Views: 3
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