Apache Kafka Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability
In CVE-2023-25194, we announced the RCE/Denial of service attack via SASL JAAS JndiLoginModule configuration in Kafka Connect API. But not only Kafka Connect API is vulnerable to this attack, the Apache Kafka brokers also have this vulnerability. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs to be able to connect to the Kafka cluster and have the AlterConfigs permission on the cluster resource.
Since Apache Kafka 3.4.0, we have added a system property ("-Dorg.apache.kafka.disallowed.login.modules") to disable the problematic login modules usage in SASL JAAS configuration. Also by default "com.sun.security.auth.module.JndiLoginModule" is disabled in Apache Kafka 3.4.0, and "com.sun.security.auth.module.JndiLoginModule,com.sun.security.auth.module.LdapLoginModule" is disabled by default in in Apache Kafka 3.9.1/4.0.0
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.10 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.11 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.12 | < 3.4.0 | 3.4.0 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.13 | < 3.4.0 | 3.4.0 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.8.0 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.8.2 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.9.1 | all versions | no fix |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.9.2 | all versions | no fix |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-502- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.10, org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.11, org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.12- Disclosed
- 10.06.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-mcwh-c9pg-xw43 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.kafka:kafka_2.10
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 2
- First → latest
- 12.2024 06.2025
- Without a fix
- 2
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 1
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 0
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