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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-49231 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

CVE-2026-49231 is an Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerability in the opa plugin of Apache APISIX. An attacker could relay spoofed identity headers to the upstream service, assuming higher privileges, due to non-default configuration. Affected versions are from 3.5.0 through 3.16.0. Users should upgrade to version 3.17.0. This issue has a CVSS score of 2.3 and is considered LOW severity.

Vendor
Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache APISIX
CVSS
LOW 2.3
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-06-19
Original CVE updated
2026-06-23
Advisory published
2026-06-19
Advisory updated
2026-06-23

Who should care

Defenders of Apache APISIX instances, particularly those using versions 3.5.0 through 3.16.0, should be aware of this vulnerability. The attack requires low privileges and can lead to higher privileges on the upstream service.

Technical summary

The CVE-2026-49231 vulnerability is caused by the opa plugin's improper handling of identity headers. An attacker can spoof these headers to gain elevated privileges on the upstream service. The vulnerability affects Apache APISIX versions 3.5.0 through 3.16.0 and is fixed in version 3.17.0. The CVSS vector is CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/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.

Defensive priority

Low severity, but defenders should still prioritize upgrading to version 3.17.0 to prevent potential privilege escalation.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Upgrade Apache APISIX to version 3.17.0
  • Review and adjust the opa plugin configuration to prevent spoofing
  • Monitor for suspicious activity on the upstream service
  • Verify the integrity of identity headers
  • Limit exposure by restricting access to the affected versions

Evidence notes

The primary evidence for this CVE comes from the Apache APISIX security advisory and the NVD database. The vulnerability affects Apache APISIX versions 3.5.0 through 3.16.0. Defenders should verify the version of Apache APISIX in use and review the configuration of the opa plugin.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-49231 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-49231

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-49231 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-49231

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.