MEDIUM CVSS 4.3
Published: 2026-06-02

CVE-2026-41115

apache kafka Security Advisory (CVE-2026-41115)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2026-41115 impacting apache kafka. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 4.3 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
An improper authorization vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka. The implementation of the CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE (69) API validates the DESCRIBE operation on the GROUP resource instead of the READ operation that documented in the official kafka documentation and the KIP-848. This discrepancy can result in misconfigured Access Control Lists (ACLs) and unintended security postures, like granting READ permission to users who should not be able to join/sync groups, or allowing users without READ permission (but with DESCRIBE permission) to access sensitive group metadata. The correct permission for CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE API is DESCRIBE GROUP so the current implementation is correct. However, the kafka documentation as well as the KIP-848 will be updated to reflect the correct permission. We advise the Kafka users to review existing group ACLs to ensure the principle of least privilege.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
Low (C:L)
Partial information leakage
Integrity
None (I:N)
No system modification impact
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product apache / kafka
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-285

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2026-41115 impacting apache kafka.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2026-41115.yaml
id: cve-2026-41115

info:
  name: apache kafka - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2026-41115 affecting apache kafka.
    Evaluation: An improper authorization vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka.

The implementation of the CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE (69) API validates the...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2026-41115
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
    cvss-score: 4.3
    cve-id: CVE-2026-41115
    cwe-id: CWE-285
  tags: cve,cve-2026-41115,apache,kafka,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "kafka"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2026-41115.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2026-41115
# Target: apache kafka | CVSS: 4.3 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2026-41115 (apache kafka)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against apache kafka scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2026-41115.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2026-41115
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install kafka 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade kafka 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update kafka

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i kafka 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i kafka

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

🔗 Verified Technical References

Authorities
  • No records filed in this category.
Distributions
  • No records filed in this category.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2026-41115 in apache kafka?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update apache kafka packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2026-41115?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2026-41115?

CVE-2026-41115 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 4.3 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
4.3
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2026-41115
Weakness CWE-285
Vendor apache
Product kafka
Published 2026-06-02
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N