# CVE-2026-42098: Sparx Enterprise Architect client-side authentication bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42098-sparx-enterprise-architect-client-side-authentication-bypass  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-19. Updated: 2026-05-19  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42098 · Severity: info · CVSS 8.7 · Published 2026-05-19

Sparx Enterprise Architect, a visual modeling and design tool, contains a security flaw that allows users to bypass their assigned permissions. By manipulating the software's client-side behavior, an authenticated user can impersonate any other user, including administrators. This allows an attacker to gain full control over the project repository, potentially leading to the unauthorized modification or deletion of critical business designs and intellectual property.

Vendors: [Sparx Systems](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/sparx-systems).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42098 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42098 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42098?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 8.7, published 19 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect All versions through 17.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42098?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. 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-2026-42098 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42098?** Check whether you run Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 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

Sparx Enterprise Architect (up to version 17.1) suffers from a 'Use of Client-Side Authentication' vulnerability (CWE-603). The software relies on the client application to enforce user role restrictions rather than server-side validation. An authenticated attacker can use a debugger or other memory manipulation tools to modify the client's execution flow, allowing them to log in as any other user or administrator. Once impersonation is successful, the attacker gains full read/write access to the repository. As of the advisory date, the vendor has not provided a patch or specific version range for a fix.

## Affected products

- Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect All versions through 17.1

## Timeline

- 2026-05-19: disclosed: Vulnerability disclosed by CERT Polska
- 2026-05-19: advisory: NVD record published

## References

- [https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/05/CVE-2026-42096](https://cert.pl/en/posts/2026/05/CVE-2026-42096)
- [https://efigo.pl/blog/CVE-2026-42096/](https://efigo.pl/blog/CVE-2026-42096/)
- [https://sparxsystems.com/products/ea/](https://sparxsystems.com/products/ea/)
- [https://sploit.tech/2026/05/19/Sparx-Enterprise-Architect-PCS.html](https://sploit.tech/2026/05/19/Sparx-Enterprise-Architect-PCS.html)

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- [Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect XXE injection in XSLT Debugger](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88794-enterprise-architect-is-vulnerable-to-xml-external-entity-xxe)