WSO2 API Control Plane improper authorization

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in WSO2 API Control Plane, API Manager, Carbon API Manager Rest API Utility, Traffic Manager and Universal Gateway. This affects an unknown part. The manipulation results in improper authorization. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-5430. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Furthermore, an exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in WSO2 API Control Plane, API Manager, Carbon API Manager Rest API Utility, Traffic Manager and Universal Gateway. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown functionality. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a improper authorization vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The JWT authentication mechanism accepts tokens signed with algorithms other than those explicitly configured or supported. This allows an attacker to craft a JWT with an unsupported algorithm, which is then incorrectly validated, leading to unauthorized access. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to the system, including the potential compromise of administrative accounts and full account takeover. The CVSS score is adjusted to 9.8 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) in single-tenant deployments, reflecting that the impact is contained within a single security authority boundary.

The advisory is shared for download at security.docs.wso2.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-5430 since 04/02/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 09/24/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1548.002.

It is declared as attacked. This issue was added on 09/24/2026 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 09/27/2026:

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BO

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 CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-2085). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Open Source WSO2 API Manager

Productinfo

Type

• Automation Software

Vendor

• WSO2

Name

• API Control Plane
• API Manager
• Carbon API Manager Rest API Utility
• Traffic Manager
• Universal Gateway

License

• commercial

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

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