# CVE-2026-111256: Apache OpenEJB authentication bypass in embedded HTTP server

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111256-when-jax-ws-or-jax-rs-endpoints-are-published-by-the-embedded  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-111256 · Severity: info · Published 2026-11-10

OpenEJB is an application server that provides JAX-WS and JAX-RS web service endpoints. When endpoints are published via OpenEJB's embedded HTTP server instead of Tomcat, configured authentication controls are silently ignored, allowing remote attackers to access protected operations without credentials. This affects only deployments using the embedded HTTP server with authentication-dependent endpoints.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-111256 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-111256 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-111256?** Informational severity, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache OpenEJB.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-111256?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Block network access to the embedded HTTP server from untrusted clients, or migrate to Tomcat-based TomEE distributions. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-111256 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-111256?** Check whether you run Apache OpenEJB. 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


Block network access to the embedded HTTP server from untrusted clients, or migrate to Tomcat-based TomEE distributions.

## Technical details

JAX-WS and JAX-RS endpoint authentication configuration is not enforced by the embedded OpenEJB HTTP server, whereas the Tomcat-based deployment correctly applies it. An unauthenticated remote attacker can invoke protected web service operations. The vulnerability requires the embedded HTTP server to be used and the endpoints to rely on the silently-ignored authentication method for security.

## Affected products

- Apache OpenEJB

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread/pfspkd8c0d5pxx3k04vnfvrn979tz1zo](https://lists.apache.org/thread/pfspkd8c0d5pxx3k04vnfvrn979tz1zo)

## Related threats

- [Apache OpenEJB embedded HTTP server privilege escalation via thread identity reuse](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97888-the-embedded-http-server-does-not-clear-the-security-identity)
- [Apache OpenEJB path traversal in HTTP server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97881-the-embedded-openejb-http-server-does-not-restrict-static)
- [Apache OpenEJB HTTP server authentication bypass in REST endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97880-the-embedded-openejb-http-server-dispatches-some-requests-to-rest)
- [Apache OpenEJB HTTP server resource exhaustion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86531-the-embedded-openejb-http-server-does-not-limit-the-size-of)
- [Apache OpenEJB admin service authentication bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-111251-the-admin-service-of-the-standalone-openejb-server-accepts-stop)