CVE-2026-105927 (GCVE-0-2026-105927)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-10-21 18:00 – Updated: 2026-10-21 18:00
VLAI
EPSS
VEX
Title
Apache Pulsar: Improper authorization of WebSocket consumer dead letter topic allows writes without PRODUCE permission
Summary
The Apache Pulsar WebSocket service allows a WebSocket consumer to configure a dead letter policy through query parameters of the consumer endpoint, including the deadLetterTopic parameter that names the topic to which messages are written after the maximum number of redeliveries is exceeded. When authorization is enabled, the WebSocket service checks only that the connecting user holds the CONSUME permission on the subscribed topic. It does not check whether the user holds the PRODUCE permission on the topic named in deadLetterTopic. The dead letter messages are then written by the WebSocket service using its own broker client identity rather than the identity of the connecting user.
As a result, an authenticated user who holds the CONSUME permission on at least one topic can cause messages to be written to a topic of their choosing in any existing namespace, including namespaces belonging to other tenants, provided the role used by the WebSocket service to connect to the brokers is authorized to produce to that topic and the topic accepts a producer that registers no schema. The dead letter producer created by the WebSocket service registers no schema, so it is rejected when the target topic has a schema and schema validation is enforced for that topic or its namespace; this setting is not enabled by default. The same user is refused when attempting to produce to that topic directly. Where automatic topic creation is enabled, which is the default, the named topic is created if it does not already exist. The issue can only be triggered when the WebSocket service is enabled, either in the broker (webSocketServiceEnabled, which is disabled by default) or as a standalone WebSocket proxy.
The impact is unauthorized injection of messages into topics the user is not permitted to produce to. The user can determine the content of the injected messages when they also control the messages on the subscribed topic. The issue does not allow reading, modifying or deleting existing messages in the target topic. Injected messages carry the dead letter message properties and a dead letter producer name, so they can be distinguished from messages produced normally; however, the values of these properties are not authenticated and should not be relied upon to establish the origin of a message. Whether an injected message has further consequences depends on how the applications consuming the target topic process it. Repeated injection also consumes storage and backlog capacity in the target namespace.
This issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.3.0 before 4.0.14 and from 4.1.0 before 4.2.5.
- 4.0.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.0.14.
- 4.1.x and 4.2.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.2.5.
Users operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.
The currently supported Apache Pulsar release lines are 4.0.x and 5.0.x. The supported versions schedule is available at https://pulsar.apache.org/contribute/release-policy/.
Users who cannot upgrade immediately and do not require the WebSocket service should disable it. Where the WebSocket service is required, restricting network access to it and limiting the permissions granted to the role the WebSocket service uses to connect to the brokers to the namespaces WebSocket clients are intended to access reduces the exposure.
Severity
CWE
- CWE-863 - Incorrect Authorization
Assigner
References
2 references
| URL | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://pulsar.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-105927/ | vendor-advisory |
| https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/1577zmjsxssb… | vendor-advisory |
Impacted products
1 product
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Apache Pulsar |
Affected:
2.3.0 , < 4.0.14
(semver)
Affected: 4.1.0 , < 4.2.5 (semver) |
guessed |
{
"containers": {
"cna": {
"affected": [
{
"defaultStatus": "unaffected",
"product": "Apache Pulsar",
"vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
"versions": [
{
"lessThan": "4.0.14",
"status": "affected",
"version": "2.3.0",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"lessThan": "4.2.5",
"status": "affected",
"version": "4.1.0",
"versionType": "semver"
}
]
}
],
"credits": [
{
"lang": "en",
"type": "finder",
"value": "MopMonk-AI"
},
{
"lang": "en",
"type": "finder",
"value": "tim"
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"supportingMedia": [
{
"base64": false,
"type": "text/html",
"value": "The Apache Pulsar WebSocket service allows a WebSocket consumer to configure a dead letter policy through query parameters of the consumer endpoint, including the deadLetterTopic parameter that names the topic to which messages are written after the maximum number of redeliveries is exceeded. When authorization is enabled, the WebSocket service checks only that the connecting user holds the CONSUME permission on the subscribed topic. It does not check whether the user holds the PRODUCE permission on the topic named in deadLetterTopic. The dead letter messages are then written by the WebSocket service using its own broker client identity rather than the identity of the connecting user.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a result, an authenticated user who holds the CONSUME permission on at least one topic can cause messages to be written to a topic of their choosing in any existing namespace, including namespaces belonging to other tenants, provided the role used by the WebSocket service to connect to the brokers is authorized to produce to that topic and the topic accepts a producer that registers no schema. The dead letter producer created by the WebSocket service registers no schema, so it is rejected when the target topic has a schema and schema validation is enforced for that topic or its namespace; this setting is not enabled by default. The same user is refused when attempting to produce to that topic directly. Where automatic topic creation is enabled, which is the default, the named topic is created if it does not already exist. The issue can only be triggered when the WebSocket service is enabled, either in the broker (webSocketServiceEnabled, which is disabled by default) or as a standalone WebSocket proxy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe impact is unauthorized injection of messages into topics the user is not permitted to produce to. The user can determine the content of the injected messages when they also control the messages on the subscribed topic. The issue does not allow reading, modifying or deleting existing messages in the target topic. Injected messages carry the dead letter message properties and a dead letter producer name, so they can be distinguished from messages produced normally; however, the values of these properties are not authenticated and should not be relied upon to establish the origin of a message. Whether an injected message has further consequences depends on how the applications consuming the target topic process it. Repeated injection also consumes storage and backlog capacity in the target namespace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.3.0 before 4.0.14 and from 4.1.0 before 4.2.5.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- 4.0.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.0.14.\u003cbr\u003e- 4.1.x and 4.2.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.2.5.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsers operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe currently supported Apache Pulsar release lines are 4.0.x and 5.0.x. The supported versions schedule is available at https://pulsar.apache.org/contribute/release-policy/.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsers who cannot upgrade immediately and do not require the WebSocket service should disable it. Where the WebSocket service is required, restricting network access to it and limiting the permissions granted to the role the WebSocket service uses to connect to the brokers to the namespaces WebSocket clients are intended to access reduces the exposure."
}
],
"value": "The Apache Pulsar WebSocket service allows a WebSocket consumer to configure a dead letter policy through query parameters of the consumer endpoint, including the deadLetterTopic parameter that names the topic to which messages are written after the maximum number of redeliveries is exceeded. When authorization is enabled, the WebSocket service checks only that the connecting user holds the CONSUME permission on the subscribed topic. It does not check whether the user holds the PRODUCE permission on the topic named in deadLetterTopic. The dead letter messages are then written by the WebSocket service using its own broker client identity rather than the identity of the connecting user.\n\nAs a result, an authenticated user who holds the CONSUME permission on at least one topic can cause messages to be written to a topic of their choosing in any existing namespace, including namespaces belonging to other tenants, provided the role used by the WebSocket service to connect to the brokers is authorized to produce to that topic and the topic accepts a producer that registers no schema. The dead letter producer created by the WebSocket service registers no schema, so it is rejected when the target topic has a schema and schema validation is enforced for that topic or its namespace; this setting is not enabled by default. The same user is refused when attempting to produce to that topic directly. Where automatic topic creation is enabled, which is the default, the named topic is created if it does not already exist. The issue can only be triggered when the WebSocket service is enabled, either in the broker (webSocketServiceEnabled, which is disabled by default) or as a standalone WebSocket proxy.\n\nThe impact is unauthorized injection of messages into topics the user is not permitted to produce to. The user can determine the content of the injected messages when they also control the messages on the subscribed topic. The issue does not allow reading, modifying or deleting existing messages in the target topic. Injected messages carry the dead letter message properties and a dead letter producer name, so they can be distinguished from messages produced normally; however, the values of these properties are not authenticated and should not be relied upon to establish the origin of a message. Whether an injected message has further consequences depends on how the applications consuming the target topic process it. Repeated injection also consumes storage and backlog capacity in the target namespace.\n\nThis issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.3.0 before 4.0.14 and from 4.1.0 before 4.2.5.\n\n- 4.0.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.0.14.\n- 4.1.x and 4.2.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.2.5.\n\nUsers operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.\n\nThe currently supported Apache Pulsar release lines are 4.0.x and 5.0.x. The supported versions schedule is available at https://pulsar.apache.org/contribute/release-policy/.\n\nUsers who cannot upgrade immediately and do not require the WebSocket service should disable it. Where the WebSocket service is required, restricting network access to it and limiting the permissions granted to the role the WebSocket service uses to connect to the brokers to the namespaces WebSocket clients are intended to access reduces the exposure."
}
],
"metrics": [
{
"cvssV4_0": {
"Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Safety": "NOT_DEFINED",
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackRequirements": "PRESENT",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"baseScore": 2.3,
"baseSeverity": "LOW",
"exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"privilegesRequired": "LOW",
"providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED",
"subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
"subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
"subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"version": "4.0",
"vulnAvailabilityImpact": "LOW",
"vulnConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
"vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW",
"vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"
},
"format": "CVSS",
"scenarios": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "GENERAL"
}
]
}
],
"problemTypes": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"cweId": "CWE-863",
"description": "CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization",
"lang": "en",
"type": "CWE"
}
]
}
],
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2026-10-21T18:00:31.871Z",
"orgId": "f0158376-9dc2-43b6-827c-5f631a4d8d09",
"shortName": "apache"
},
"references": [
{
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory"
],
"url": "https://pulsar.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-105927/"
},
{
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory"
],
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/1577zmjsxssb9zkg34sjzcl71om145bd"
}
],
"source": {
"discovery": "EXTERNAL"
},
"title": "Apache Pulsar: Improper authorization of WebSocket consumer dead letter topic allows writes without PRODUCE permission",
"x_generator": {
"engine": "Vulnogram 1.0.3"
}
}
},
"cveMetadata": {
"assignerOrgId": "f0158376-9dc2-43b6-827c-5f631a4d8d09",
"assignerShortName": "apache",
"cveId": "CVE-2026-105927",
"datePublished": "2026-10-21T18:00:31.871Z",
"dateReserved": "2026-10-06T06:29:52.124Z",
"dateUpdated": "2026-10-21T18:00:31.871Z",
"state": "PUBLISHED"
},
"dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
"dataVersion": "5.2",
"vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
"epss": {
"cve": "CVE-2026-105927",
"date": "2026-10-22",
"epss": "0.00437",
"percentile": "0.36958"
},
"nvd": {
"cve": {
"affected": [
{
"affectedData": [
{
"defaultStatus": "unaffected",
"product": "Apache Pulsar",
"vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
"versions": [
{
"lessThan": "4.0.14",
"status": "affected",
"version": "2.3.0",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"lessThan": "4.2.5",
"status": "affected",
"version": "4.1.0",
"versionType": "semver"
}
]
}
],
"source": "security@apache.org"
}
],
"cveTags": [],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "The Apache Pulsar WebSocket service allows a WebSocket consumer to configure a dead letter policy through query parameters of the consumer endpoint, including the deadLetterTopic parameter that names the topic to which messages are written after the maximum number of redeliveries is exceeded. When authorization is enabled, the WebSocket service checks only that the connecting user holds the CONSUME permission on the subscribed topic. It does not check whether the user holds the PRODUCE permission on the topic named in deadLetterTopic. The dead letter messages are then written by the WebSocket service using its own broker client identity rather than the identity of the connecting user.\n\nAs a result, an authenticated user who holds the CONSUME permission on at least one topic can cause messages to be written to a topic of their choosing in any existing namespace, including namespaces belonging to other tenants, provided the role used by the WebSocket service to connect to the brokers is authorized to produce to that topic and the topic accepts a producer that registers no schema. The dead letter producer created by the WebSocket service registers no schema, so it is rejected when the target topic has a schema and schema validation is enforced for that topic or its namespace; this setting is not enabled by default. The same user is refused when attempting to produce to that topic directly. Where automatic topic creation is enabled, which is the default, the named topic is created if it does not already exist. The issue can only be triggered when the WebSocket service is enabled, either in the broker (webSocketServiceEnabled, which is disabled by default) or as a standalone WebSocket proxy.\n\nThe impact is unauthorized injection of messages into topics the user is not permitted to produce to. The user can determine the content of the injected messages when they also control the messages on the subscribed topic. The issue does not allow reading, modifying or deleting existing messages in the target topic. Injected messages carry the dead letter message properties and a dead letter producer name, so they can be distinguished from messages produced normally; however, the values of these properties are not authenticated and should not be relied upon to establish the origin of a message. Whether an injected message has further consequences depends on how the applications consuming the target topic process it. Repeated injection also consumes storage and backlog capacity in the target namespace.\n\nThis issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.3.0 before 4.0.14 and from 4.1.0 before 4.2.5.\n\n- 4.0.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.0.14.\n- 4.1.x and 4.2.x version users should upgrade to at least 4.2.5.\n\nUsers operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.\n\nThe currently supported Apache Pulsar release lines are 4.0.x and 5.0.x. The supported versions schedule is available at https://pulsar.apache.org/contribute/release-policy/.\n\nUsers who cannot upgrade immediately and do not require the WebSocket service should disable it. Where the WebSocket service is required, restricting network access to it and limiting the permissions granted to the role the WebSocket service uses to connect to the brokers to the namespaces WebSocket clients are intended to access reduces the exposure."
}
],
"id": "CVE-2026-105927",
"lastModified": "2026-10-21T18:17:22.730",
"metrics": {
"cvssMetricV40": [
{
"cvssData": {
"Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED",
"Safety": "NOT_DEFINED",
"attackComplexity": "LOW",
"attackRequirements": "PRESENT",
"attackVector": "NETWORK",
"availabilityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED",
"baseScore": 2.3,
"baseSeverity": "LOW",
"confidentialityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED",
"exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"integrityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedAttackComplexity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedAttackRequirements": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedAttackVector": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedPrivilegesRequired": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedSubAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedSubConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedSubIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedUserInteraction": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedVulnAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedVulnConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"modifiedVulnIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED",
"privilegesRequired": "LOW",
"providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED",
"subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
"subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
"subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
"userInteraction": "NONE",
"valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED",
"vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/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",
"version": "4.0",
"vulnAvailabilityImpact": "LOW",
"vulnConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
"vulnIntegrityImpact": "LOW",
"vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"
},
"source": "security@apache.org",
"type": "Secondary"
}
]
},
"published": "2026-10-21T18:17:22.730",
"references": [
{
"source": "security@apache.org",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/1577zmjsxssb9zkg34sjzcl71om145bd"
},
{
"source": "security@apache.org",
"url": "https://pulsar.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-105927/"
}
],
"sourceIdentifier": "security@apache.org",
"vulnStatus": "Received",
"weaknesses": [
{
"description": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "CWE-863"
}
],
"source": "security@apache.org",
"type": "Primary"
}
]
}
}
}
}
Loading…
Loading…
Drag nodes to arrange them. Double-click a related vulnerability to open it, or a source to visit its link. The Physics button on the left tunes the layout and the simulation; the legend at the bottom left hides or shows nodes by kind and by sighting type.
Experimental. This forecast is provided for visualization only and may change without notice. Do not use it for operational decisions.
Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.
Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date | Other |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
- Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
- Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Vulnerability timeline
Sightings and recorded dates, grouped by day · UTC
Loading timeline…
Loading…
Loading…
The MITRE ATT&CK techniques below are AI-generated suggestions, inferred from the description of the
vulnerability by the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-classification-roberta-base
model, served locally by ML-Gateway.
They have not been verified by an analyst and are provided for guidance only.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
Loading…
Related by attack behaviour
Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.