When audit logging is enabled (zookeeper.audit.enable=true), an unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary fields into Apache ZooKeeper's audit log by sending a digest authentication request with tab characters (\t) embedded in the username. Because the audit log uses tab-separated key=value format, the injected tabs are parsed as legitimate field separators, allowing the attacker to spoof audit results (e.g., injecting result=success), forge operation types, and corrupt forensic evidence.
A log injection vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper allows a client that can call setACL to inject forged key-value fields into zookeeper_audit.log. When audit logging is enabled, the server serializes attacker-controlled digest ACL ids into the acl= audit field without escaping tab characters. Because audit events are emitted as tab-separated key=value records, a crafted ACL id can make one successful setAcl event appear to contain forged fields such as operation=delete and znode=/forged. This undermines the integrity of downstream audit parsing, alerting, and incident response.
This issue affects Apache ZooKeeper: from 3.9.0 through 3.9.5, from 3.8.0 through 3.8.6.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.6 or 3.8.7, which fixes the issue.
References
| Link | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://lists.apache.org/thread/b7qnjvqjh393l0j07tmnb5ggg40sx3m6 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/6 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory |
Configurations
Configuration 1 (hide)
|
History
18 Sep 2026, 14:37
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time |
Apache
Apache zookeeper |
|
| References | () https://lists.apache.org/thread/b7qnjvqjh393l0j07tmnb5ggg40sx3m6 - Mailing List, Vendor Advisory | |
| References | () http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/6 - Mailing List, Vendor Advisory | |
| CPE | cpe:2.3:a:apache:zookeeper:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
17 Sep 2026, 20:18
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| CVSS |
v2 : v3 : |
v2 : unknown
v3 : 5.3 |
Information
Published : 2026-09-16 10:16
Updated : 2026-09-18 14:37
NVD link : CVE-2026-84439
Mitre link : CVE-2026-84439
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-84439
JSON object : View
Products Affected
apache
- zookeeper
CWE
CWE-117
Improper Output Neutralization for Logs
