# CVE-2026-1609: Keycloak improper access control for disabled users in JWT authorization grant

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-1609-keycloak-improper-access-control-for-disabled-users-in-jwt  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-16. Updated: 2026-07-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-1609 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-07-16

Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management solution used to secure modern applications and services. A security flaw was identified where the system fails to check if a user account has been disabled when using a specific login feature (JWT authorization grant). This allows a person with a disabled account to still log in and access sensitive corporate data or restricted resources by using a valid credential from an external identity provider.

Technologies: [Keycloak](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/keycloak). Vendors: [Keycloak](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/keycloak).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-1609 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-1609 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-1609?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 16 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Keycloak 26.5.0 to 26.5.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-1609?** A patch was published on 2026-02-10: Fixed in Keycloak version 26.5.3 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-1609 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-1609?** Check whether you run Keycloak 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.

## Technical details

An improper access control vulnerability exists in Keycloak when the '--features jwt-authorization-grant' preview feature is enabled. The root cause is a failure to validate the 'enabled' status of a user account during the processing of a JWT authorization grant. A remote attacker with low privileges can present a valid assertion token from an external identity provider to obtain a new JWT for a disabled user account. This allows the attacker to bypass account suspension and access protected endpoints. The issue is fixed in Keycloak version 26.5.3.

## Affected products

- Keycloak Keycloak 26.5.0 to 26.5.2
- Red Hat Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 8 Affected
- Red Hat Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform Expansion Pack Affected

## Timeline

- 2026-01-29: disclosed: Initial bug report in Red Hat Bugzilla
- 2026-02-10: patched: Fixed in Keycloak version 26.5.3
- 2026-07-16: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/jbossnetwork/restricted/listSoftware.html](https://access.redhat.com/jbossnetwork/restricted/listSoftware.html)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-1609](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-1609)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2435257](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2435257)
- [https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak/issues/46144](https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak/issues/46144)
- [https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak/releases/tag/26.5.3](https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak/releases/tag/26.5.3)

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