Summary
A vulnerability exists in Keycloak's server distribution where enabling debug mode (--debug) insecurely defaults to binding the Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) port to all network interfaces (0.0.0.0). This exposes the debug port to the local network, allowing an attacker on the same network segment to attach a remote debugger and achieve remote code execution within the Keycloak Java virtual machine.
Red Hat evaluates this as a Moderate impact vulnerability due to the requirement of running debug mode and untrusted network. Also, for Red Hat Single Sign-On, this must as well be bound to 0.0.0.0 address, which is not recommended in production scenarios.
Impact
CVE-2025-11538 has a CVSS score of 6.8 (Medium). The vector is reachable from an adjacent network, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (26.4.4); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2025-11538? CVE-2025-11538 is a medium-severity security vulnerability in org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist (maven), affecting versions < 26.4.4. It is fixed in 26.4.4.
- How severe is CVE-2025-11538? CVE-2025-11538 has a CVSS score of 6.8 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist are affected by CVE-2025-11538? org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-dist (maven) versions < 26.4.4 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2025-11538? Yes. CVE-2025-11538 is fixed in 26.4.4. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2025-11538 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2025-11538 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2025-11538 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2025-11538? Upgrade
org.keycloak:keycloak-quarkus-distto 26.4.4 or later.