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JWT Algorithm Confusion Authentication Bypass in Apache APISIX jwt-auth Plugin

IdentifiersCVE-2026-39999CWE-290

CVE-2026-39999 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in Apache APISIX affecting versions 2.2 through 3.16.0. The issue is described as an Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerability and is associated with JWT algorithm confusion in certain configurations of the jwt-auth plugin. Under vulnerable configurations, an attacker can spoof authentication and completely bypass the authentication checks enforced by the plugin, allowing requests to be treated as authenticated without possessing valid credentials or a legitimately accepted JWT.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to completely bypass authentication in affected Apache APISIX deployments where the vulnerable jwt-auth plugin configuration is present. This can permit unauthorized access to protected upstream services and API routes guarded by APISIX authentication controls, undermining access control enforcement and potentially exposing sensitive functionality or data behind the gateway.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, review and harden all jwt-auth plugin configurations, especially any configuration patterns that could permit JWT algorithm confusion. Restrict exposure of protected routes, apply compensating access controls in front of sensitive APIs, and monitor for anomalous authenticated requests that may indicate spoofed JWT acceptance. Specific vendor-endorsed mitigation details beyond upgrading were not provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Apache APISIX to a fixed release. The provided content contains conflicting fixed-version references: one states users should upgrade to v3.17.0, while the mention context and extracted facts state v3.16.1 fixes the issue. Based on the supplied material, the safest remediation is to upgrade to at least v3.17.0, or otherwise to a vendor-confirmed fixed release that includes the CVE-2026-39999 patch.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Apache Software FoundationApisixapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

6 sources tracked across advisories and community write-ups. News coverage will land here when it surfaces.

No news coverage yet. Advisories and community discussion only.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity6

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.