# CVE-2026-41603: Apache Thrift improper certificate validation in Java TSSLTransportFactory

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41603-apache-thrift-improper-certificate-validation-in-java  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-28. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-41603 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.4 · Published 2026-04-28

Apache Thrift, a framework used for cross-language software development and communication, contains a security flaw in how it handles encrypted connections. The software fails to verify that a server's security certificate matches its actual address, which could allow an attacker to impersonate a legitimate server. If exploited, this could lead to the interception or alteration of sensitive business data and unauthorized access to communications.

Technologies: [Apache Thrift](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/thrift), [org.apache.thrift:libthrift (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-thrift-libthrift), [Red Hat AI Inference Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/ai-inference-server), [Red Hat Multicluster Global Hub](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/multicluster-global-hub). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache), [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-41603 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41603 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-41603?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.4, published 28 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.thrift:libthrift (Maven) < 0.23.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=0.23.0; Red Hat AI Inference Server 3; Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3; Red Hat Multicluster Global Hub 1.3.4, 1.4.5, 1.5.4, 1.6.2; and 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-41603?** Yes. org.apache.thrift:libthrift (Maven): upgrade to 0.23.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-41603 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-41603?** Check whether you run Apache Thrift, org.apache.thrift:libthrift (Maven), Red Hat AI Inference Server 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.thrift:libthrift (Maven): upgrade to 0.23.0 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.thrift:libthrift to 0.23.0 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in Apache Thrift's Java TSSLTransportFactory where it fails to perform proper hostname verification during the TLS handshake. This 'Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch' (CWE-297) allows a remote attacker to perform a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack by presenting a valid certificate for an arbitrary domain, which the client will incorrectly accept as valid for the target host. An attacker can exploit this to intercept, decrypt, or modify sensitive communications between Thrift clients and servers. The issue is fixed in Apache Thrift version 0.23.0. Red Hat has also issued several advisories for downstream products including OpenShift and Multicluster Global Hub.

## Affected products

- Apache Thrift before 0.23.0
- Red Hat Multicluster Global Hub 1.3.4, 1.4.5, 1.5.4, 1.6.2
- Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes 2.15
- Red Hat OpenShift distributed tracing platform (Tempo) 3.9.3
- Red Hat AI Inference Server 3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Red Hat OpenShift GitOps 1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-41603
- BIT-THRIFT-2026-41603
- GHSA-gf47-qgg5-9g9q

## Timeline

- 2026-04-28: disclosed: Initial disclosure via Apache and Openwall mailing lists
- 2026-04-28: advisory: NVD published CVE-2026-41603
- 2026-04-28: patched: Apache Thrift 0.23.0 released
- 2026-05-07: patched: Red Hat released security updates for OpenShift distributed tracing (RHSA-2026:14885)

## References

- [https://lists.apache.org/thread/lb4j0zyd5f3g36cos0wql925przpnwql](https://lists.apache.org/thread/lb4j0zyd5f3g36cos0wql925przpnwql)
- [http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/28/7](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/28/7)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14885](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14885)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:21769](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:21769)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22347](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22347)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22423](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22423)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23345](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23345)

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