Apache CXF up to 3.6.12/4.1.8/4.2.3 cxf-rt-transports-http-netty-client certificate validation

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Apache CXF up to 3.6.12/4.1.8/4.2.3. Impacted is an unknown function of the component cxf-rt-transports-http-netty-client. Performing a manipulation results in certificate validation. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-107938. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Apache CXF up to 3.6.12/4.1.8/4.2.3. This affects some unknown processing of the component cxf-rt-transports-http-netty-client. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a certificate validation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-295. The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate. This is going to have an impact on integrity. The summary by CVE is:

In Apache CXF, the Netty-based HTTP client transport (cxf-rt-transports-http-netty-client) did not verify that the hostname in the server’s TLS certificate matched the host being called. This applied over both HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2, even when disableCNCheck was left at its default value of false. The certificate chain was validated against the configured trust store, but the endpoint’s identity was not. A network attacker able to intercept traffic could present any certificate trusted by the client, such as a publicly issued certificate for a domain they control, and impersonate the target service. They could then read or modify the exchanged messages, including credentials.  Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.4 or 4.1.9 or 3.6.13, which fix this issue.

It is possible to read the advisory at lists.apache.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-107938 since 10/09/2026. The exploitability is told to be difficult. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/09/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1587.003 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 3.6.13, 4.1.9 or 4.2.4 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Application Server Software

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• CXF

Version

• 3.6.0
• 3.6.1
• 3.6.2
• 3.6.3
• 3.6.4
• 3.6.5
• 3.6.6
• 3.6.7
• 3.6.8
• 3.6.9
• 3.6.10
• 3.6.11
• 3.6.12
• 4.1.0
• 4.1.1
• 4.1.2
• 4.1.3
• 4.1.4
• 4.1.5
• 4.1.6
• 4.1.7
• 4.1.8
• 4.2.0
• 4.2.1
• 4.2.2
• 4.2.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

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