An unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary fake log lines into Apache ZooKeeper's operational log by sending a crafted add_auth("ensemble", ...) request containing newline characters (\n). When the ensemble name doesn't match, EnsembleAuthenticationProvider.handleAuthentication() logs the raw, unsanitized name via LOG.warn(). Because SLF4J's {} placeholder preserves embedded newlines, the attacker can forge complete log entries — with arbitrary timestamps, log levels, class names, and messages — that are visually indistinguishable from genuine ZooKeeper log output.
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 3.8.7 or 3.9.6, which fixes the issue.
References
| Link | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://lists.apache.org/thread/ohby1g6zjt72p0w79rhbr41nczzvr33y | Mailing List Vendor Advisory |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/7 | Mailing List |
Configurations
Configuration 1 (hide)
|
History
18 Sep 2026, 14:36
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time |
Apache
Apache zookeeper |
|
| References | () https://lists.apache.org/thread/ohby1g6zjt72p0w79rhbr41nczzvr33y - Mailing List, Vendor Advisory | |
| References | () http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/15/7 - Mailing List | |
| CPE | cpe:2.3:a:apache:zookeeper:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
16 Sep 2026, 20:17
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| CVSS |
v2 : v3 : |
v2 : unknown
v3 : 5.3 |
Information
Published : 2026-09-16 10:16
Updated : 2026-09-18 14:36
NVD link : CVE-2026-84501
Mitre link : CVE-2026-84501
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-84501
JSON object : View
Products Affected
apache
- zookeeper
CWE
CWE-117
Improper Output Neutralization for Logs
