Apache Tomcat auth bypass and Apache CXF JMS RCE flaw disclosed
Apache disclosed CVE-2026-43512, a moderate-severity authentication bypass in Tomcat's DIGEST authenticator that can let any user unknown to the configured Realm authenticate if the supplied password is "null". The flaw affects multiple supported branches, including Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.21, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.54, and 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.117, with older unsupported releases potentially affected. Apache advised users to upgrade to 11.0.22+, 10.1.55+, or 9.0.118+.
Apache also disclosed CVE-2026-44417, a moderate-severity flaw in the JMS transport component of Apache CXF caused by an incomplete fix for CVE-2025-48913. The remaining vulnerable code path can still lead to remote code execution when untrusted users are allowed to configure JMS. Affected releases include CXF JMS transport 4.2.0 before 4.2.1, 4.0.0 before 4.1.6, and all 3.6.x versions before 3.6.11; Apache said organizations should upgrade to 4.2.1, 4.1.6, or 3.6.11.

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How this story unfolded
4 events from the most recent confirmed update back to the earliest known activity.
Apache publishes patched CXF versions for CVE-2026-44417
Apache recommended upgrading Apache CXF JMS transport to versions 4.2.1, 4.1.6, or 3.6.11 to address CVE-2026-44417. The 2026-05-22 advisory credited exploitintel/@exploit_intel with finding the issue.
Apache discloses Apache CXF incomplete fix flaw (CVE-2026-44417)
On 2026-05-22, Apache disclosed CVE-2026-44417, a moderate-severity vulnerability in Apache CXF's JMS transport caused by an incomplete fix for CVE-2025-48913. The remaining code path could still allow remote code execution when untrusted users are permitted to configure JMS.
Apache releases fixed Tomcat versions for CVE-2026-43512
Apache advised users to upgrade Tomcat to 11.0.22, 10.1.55, or 9.0.118 to remediate CVE-2026-43512. These fixed releases were identified in the 2026-05-12 security advisory.
Apache discloses Tomcat digest authentication bypass (CVE-2026-43512)
On 2026-05-12, Apache disclosed CVE-2026-43512, a moderate-severity flaw in Tomcat's DIGEST authenticator that can authenticate unknown users when the presented password is "null." The issue affects supported Tomcat 11.0.x, 10.1.x, and 9.0.x release lines, with older unsupported versions potentially affected.
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Sources
3 references tracked. Mallory keeps watching after this page renders.
oss-sec: CVE-2026-44417: Apache CXF: Incomplete fix for CVE-2025-48913 (Untrusted JMS configuration can lead to RCE)
seclists.org
Open sourceoss-sec: CVE-2026-43512: Apache Tomcat: Digest authenticator will authenticate any unknown user
seclists.org
Open source[SECURITY] CVE-2026-43512 Apache Tomcat - Digest authenticator will authenticate any unknown user-Apache Mail Archives
lists.apache.org
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