Apache Kafka up to 4.3.0 improper authorization

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Apache Kafka up to 4.3.0. This impacts an unknown function. Such manipulation leads to improper authorization. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-41115. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Apache Kafka up to 4.3.0. Affected by this issue is an unknown code block. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authorization vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-285. The product does not perform or incorrectly performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An improper authorization vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka. The implementation of the CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE (69) API validates the DESCRIBE operation on the GROUP resource instead of the READ operation that documented in the official kafka documentation and the KIP-848. This discrepancy can result in misconfigured Access Control Lists (ACLs) and unintended security postures, like granting READ permission to users who should not be able to join/sync groups, or allowing users without READ permission (but with DESCRIBE permission) to access sensitive group metadata. The correct permission for CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE API is DESCRIBE GROUP so the current implementation is correct. However, the kafka documentation as well as the KIP-848 will be updated to reflect the correct permission. We advise the Kafka users to review existing group ACLs to ensure the principle of least privilege.

The advisory is shared for download at kafka.apache.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-41115 since 04/17/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 06/02/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1548.002.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-33904). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• Kafka

Version

• 4.0
• 4.1
• 4.2
• 4.3.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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