CVE-2026-49230 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders managing Apache APISIX instances, particularly those using versions between 3.8.0 and 3.16.0, should be aware of this vulnerability. The authentication bypass risk in the jwe-decrypt plugin poses a significant threat to the security of affected systems.

Technical summary

The CVE-2026-49230 vulnerability is caused by improper validation of integrity check values in the jwe-decrypt plugin of Apache APISIX. This plugin, under default configuration, is susceptible to authentication bypass attacks. The vulnerability affects Apache APISIX versions from 3.8.0 through 3.16.0. The CVSS:4.0 vector is AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X, indicating a medium severity with a score of 6.3.

Defensive priority

Upgrade to version 3.17.0 to fix the vulnerability. Implement compensating controls to monitor and limit exposure.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade Apache APISIX to version 3.17.0
• Review and adjust configurations for the jwe-decrypt plugin
• Monitor for suspicious activity related to authentication bypass attempts
• Implement additional security measures to compensate for the vulnerability
• Verify the integrity of APISIX instances and plugins

Evidence notes

The primary evidence for this vulnerability comes from the CVE record and NVD detail pages. The vulnerability affects Apache APISIX versions from 3.8.0 through 3.16.0. Defenders should verify the version of APISIX in use and confirm if it falls within the affected range. Official sources, such as the Apache security mailing list and Openwall lists, provide additional context and references.

Official resources