# CVE-2026-29145: Apache Tomcat improper authentication in CLIENT_CERT validation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-29145-apache-tomcat-improper-authentication-in-client-cert-validation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-09. Updated: 2026-05-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-29145 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-04-09

Apache Tomcat is a widely used web server and application container for Java applications. A security flaw has been identified where the system may fail to properly reject invalid or unauthorized client certificates during the login process. This could allow an attacker to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected web applications and sensitive data.

Technologies: [Apache Tomcat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/tomcat), [Apache Tomcat Native](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apache-tomcat-native), [org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-tomcat-tomcat), [org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote-ffm (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-tomcat-tomcat-coyote-ffm). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache), [Apache Software Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache-software-foundation), [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-29145 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-29145 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-29145?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 9 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Software Foundation Tomcat Native 1.1.23 through 1.1.34, 1.2.0 through 1.2.39, 1.3.0 through 1.3.6, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=9.0.83,fixed=9.0.116; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote-ffm (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=9.0.83,fixed=9.0.116.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-29145?** Yes. org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): upgrade to 9.0.116 or later; org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote-ffm (Maven): upgrade to 9.0.116 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-29145 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-29145?** Check whether you run Apache Tomcat, Apache Tomcat Native, Apache Software Foundation Tomcat Native or one of the others listed 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

- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat (Maven): upgrade to 9.0.116 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat to 9.0.116 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```

- org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote-ffm (Maven): upgrade to 9.0.116 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.tomcat:tomcat-coyote-ffm to 9.0.116 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Technical details

An improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) exists in Apache Tomcat and Apache Tomcat Native when using CLIENT_CERT authentication. The root cause is a failure in the authentication logic where the system does not fail as expected in certain scenarios, even when 'soft fail' is disabled. This allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to bypass certificate-based security constraints over the network. The vulnerability affects Tomcat versions 9.x, 10.x, and 11.x, as well as multiple branches of Tomcat Native. Patches are available in Tomcat 9.0.116, 10.1.53, 11.0.20, and Tomcat Native 1.3.7 and 2.0.14.

## Affected products

- Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.18, 10.1.0-M7 through 10.1.52, 9.0.83 through 9.0.115
- Apache Tomcat Native 1.1.23 through 1.1.34, 1.2.0 through 1.2.39, 1.3.0 through 1.3.6, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-29145
- GHSA-95jq-rwvf-vjx4

## Timeline

- 2026-04-09: disclosed
- 2026-04-09: advisory

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/aruneko](https://api.github.com/users/aruneko)
- [https://github.com/aruneko](https://github.com/aruneko)
- [https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/repos](https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/2957726?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/2957726?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/aruneko/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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