What is CVE-2026-23906?

CVE-2026-23906 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (maven), affecting versions >= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0. It is fixed in 36.0.0. The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access.

Which versions of org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security are affected by CVE-2026-23906?

org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (maven) versions >= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2026-23906?

Yes. CVE-2026-23906 is fixed in 36.0.0. Upgrade to this version or later.

Is CVE-2026-23906 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2026-23906 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.

What actually determines whether CVE-2026-23906 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.

CVE-2026-23906

Q: Which versions of org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security are affected by CVE-2026-23906?

org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (maven) versions >= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2026-23906?

Yes. CVE-2026-23906 is fixed in 36.0.0. Upgrade to this version or later.

Q: Is CVE-2026-23906 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2026-23906 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.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2026-23906 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.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-23906?

Upgrade org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security to 36.0.0 or later.

Summary

Apache Druid Vulnerable to Authentication Bypass

Affected Products and Versions

Apache Druid
Affected Versions: 0.17.0 through 35.x (all versions prior to 36.0.0)
Prerequisites: * druid-basic-security extension enabled
LDAP authenticator configured
Underlying LDAP server permits anonymous bind

Vulnerability Description

An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Apache Druid when using the druid-basic-security extension with LDAP authentication. If the underlying LDAP server is configured to allow anonymous
binds, an attacker can bypass authentication by providing an existing username with an empty password. This allows unauthorized access to otherwise restricted Druid resources without valid credentials.

The vulnerability stems from improper validation of LDAP authentication responses when anonymous binds are permitted, effectively treating anonymous bind success as valid user authentication.

Mitigation

Immediate Mitigation (No Druid Upgrade Required):

Disable anonymous bind on your LDAP server. This prevents the vulnerability from being exploitable and is the recommended immediate action.

Resolution

Upgrade Apache Druid to version 36.0.0 or later, which includes fixes to properly reject anonymous LDAP bind attempts.

Impact

A remote, unauthenticated attacker can:

Gain unauthorized access to the Apache Druid cluster
Access sensitive data stored in Druid datasources
Execute queries and potentially manipulate data
Access administrative interfaces if the bypassed account has elevated privileges
Completely compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Druid deployment

The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access. Typical impact: unauthorized access to functions or data reserved for authenticated parties.

Affected versions

org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (>= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0)

Security releases

org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security → 36.0.0 (maven)

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.

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Remediation advice

Upgrade org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security to 36.0.0 or later to resolve this vulnerability.

Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-23906? CVE-2026-23906 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (maven), affecting versions >= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0. It is fixed in 36.0.0. The application does not adequately verify the identity of a user, device, or process before granting access.
Which versions of org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security are affected by CVE-2026-23906? org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security (maven) versions >= 0.17.0, < 36.0.0 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-23906? Yes. CVE-2026-23906 is fixed in 36.0.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
Is CVE-2026-23906 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-23906 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-2026-23906 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-2026-23906? Upgrade org.apache.druid.extensions:druid-basic-security to 36.0.0 or later.