Description
A flaw was found in the Client-Initiated Backchannel Authentication (CIBA) implementation of Keycloak. The CIBA endpoint fails to properly validate the sub parameter, allowing it to be stored as an additional request parameter. During the token issuance process, this injected value overwrites the legitimate subject identifier. This allows an attacker to authenticate as themselves but receive security tokens belonging to a different victim user, leading to unauthorized account access.
Published: 2026-11-05
Score: 6.8 Medium
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: Unauthorized account access
Action: Assess Impact
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability in Keycloak’s CIBA endpoint allows an attacker to inject a malicious sub parameter, which is treated as an additional request field. This injected value replaces the legitimate subject identifier during token issuance. The result is that an attacker authenticating as themselves can receive security tokens that belong to another user, enabling unauthorized access to that user's account.

Affected Systems

Red Hat’s Build of Keycloak and Red Hat Single Sign‑On 7 are affected. The data does not specify particular versions, so the flaw applies to all installations of these products that contain the issue.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score is 6.8, indicating moderate severity. The EPSS score is not available, so the current exploitation probability cannot be quantified. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Exploitation requires an attacker to craft a request to the CIBA endpoint that includes an injected sub parameter; if the endpoint is reachable, the attacker can receive tokens for arbitrary users.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on November 5, 2026 at 18:53 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.


OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the official Red Hat update that fixes the CIBA sub parameter validation flaw as soon as it becomes available.
  • Restrict or disable the CIBA endpoint for untrusted clients, or disable the feature entirely if it is not required, to eliminate the injection surface.
  • Implement network segmentation or firewall rules that limit access to the authentication server, and monitor authentication logs for abnormal token issuance patterns.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on November 5, 2026 at 18:53 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in the Client-Initiated Backchannel Authentication (CIBA) implementation of Keycloak. The CIBA endpoint fails to properly validate the sub parameter, allowing it to be stored as an additional request parameter. During the token issuance process, this injected value overwrites the legitimate subject identifier. This allows an attacker to authenticate as themselves but receive security tokens belonging to a different victim user, leading to unauthorized account access.
Title Keycloak-services: keycloak-services: ciba sub parameter injection causes attacker authentication to issue victim tokens
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat build Keycloak
Redhat red Hat Single Sign On
Weaknesses CWE-20
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:build_keycloak:
cpe:/a:redhat:red_hat_single_sign_on:7
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat build Keycloak
Redhat red Hat Single Sign On
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}


Subscriptions

Redhat Build Keycloak Red Hat Single Sign On
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: redhat

Published:

Updated: 2026-11-05T17:15:54.587Z

Reserved: 2026-09-24T05:29:37.511Z

Link: CVE-2026-97174

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-11-05T18:17:11.493

Modified: 2026-11-05T18:17:11.630

Link: CVE-2026-97174

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-11-05T19:00:20Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-20

    Improper Input Validation