# CVE-2026-101296: Apache Tomcat authentication bypass in JNDI realm

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101296-a-missing-critical-step-in-authentication-vulnerability-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-20. Updated: 2026-10-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-101296 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-20

Apache Tomcat is a widely-used web application server that runs enterprise Java applications. When configured with a JNDI realm using non-GSSAPI SASL authentication, a critical authentication validation step was missing, allowing attackers to log in without providing the correct password. This could lead to unauthorized access to applications running on affected Tomcat instances.

Technologies: [Apache Tomcat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/tomcat). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-101296 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-101296 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-101296?** Informational severity, published 20 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Tomcat 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.122, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.60, 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.26; also 8.5.0–8.5.100 and 7.0.0–7.0.109 (EOL).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-101296?** Yes: fixed in Tomcat 9.0.123, 10.1.61, 11.0.27. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-101296 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-101296?** Check whether you run Apache Tomcat at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in Tomcat 9.0.123, 10.1.61, 11.0.27

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an authentication bypass in Tomcat's JNDI realm implementation when using non-GSSAPI SASL authentication mechanisms. A missing validation step allows attackers to authenticate without providing valid credentials. The issue affects supported versions 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.26, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.60, and 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.122, as well as out-of-support versions 8.5.0–8.5.100 and 7.0.0–7.0.109.

## Affected products

- Apache Tomcat 9.0.0-M1 through 9.0.122, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.60, 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.26; also 8.5.0–8.5.100 and 7.0.0–7.0.109 (EOL)

## Timeline

- 2026-10-20: disclosed

## References

- [https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/bl52b9go9ckoov8x4v3dt6rkm573cygd](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/bl52b9go9ckoov8x4v3dt6rkm573cygd)

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