Summary
Apache Camel-Keycloak: The access-token validity window is not verified because the IS_ACTIVE check is missing from the TokenVerifier, allowing expired tokens to be accepted
Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerability in Apache Camel Keycloak Component.
The camel-keycloak security helper KeycloakSecurityHelper.parseAndVerifyAccessToken builds a Keycloak TokenVerifier using withChecks(...) with only the subject-exists check and the realm-URL (issuer) check. Keycloak's TokenVerifier.withChecks(...) appends to an initially empty check list - the upstream default checks are installed only when withDefaultChecks() is called - so the built-in IS_ACTIVE predicate, which validates the token's exp (expiration) and nbf (not-before) claims, is never applied. As a result the helper verifies the token signature, subject and issuer but does not enforce the token's validity window: an access token that is expired, or not yet valid, is accepted as valid. Routes that rely on this helper to authenticate inbound requests therefore accept access tokens that are outside their intended lifetime.
This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.18.0 before 4.18.3, from 4.19.0 before 4.21.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.21.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.3. The fix makes KeycloakSecurityHelper.parseAndVerifyAccessToken include the TokenVerifier.IS_ACTIVE check so that expired or not-yet-valid access tokens are rejected, aligning the helper with Keycloak's default check set. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, enforce token expiration outside the helper - for example validate the access token's exp/nbf claims in the route before trusting it, keep Keycloak access-token lifetimes short, and ensure any upstream gateway or resource server also validates the token validity window.
Impact
CVE-2026-46455 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, 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 (4.18.3, 4.21.0); 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.
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org.apache.camel:camel-keycloak to 4.18.3 or later; org.apache.camel:camel-keycloak to 4.21.0 or later
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-46455? CVE-2026-46455 is a critical-severity security vulnerability in org.apache.camel:camel-keycloak (maven), affecting versions >= 4.18.0, < 4.18.3. It is fixed in 4.18.3, 4.21.0.
- How severe is CVE-2026-46455? CVE-2026-46455 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). 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.apache.camel:camel-keycloak are affected by CVE-2026-46455? org.apache.camel:camel-keycloak (maven) versions >= 4.18.0, < 4.18.3 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-46455? Yes. CVE-2026-46455 is fixed in 4.18.3, 4.21.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-46455 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-46455 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-2026-46455 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-2026-46455?
- Upgrade
org.apache.camel:camel-keycloakto 4.18.3 or later - Upgrade
org.apache.camel:camel-keycloakto 4.21.0 or later
- Upgrade