# CVE-2026-85972: Progress MarkLogic Server Kerberos authentication verification bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85972-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-12. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85972 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.4 · Published 2026-10-12

MarkLogic Server is a database platform used to store and manage critical business data. In password-based Kerberos authentication configurations, the product fails to properly verify the identity of the authentication service, allowing a network attacker to impersonate trusted infrastructure and gain unauthorized access to or modify protected data.

Technologies: [Progress Marklogic Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/marklogic-server). Vendors: [Progress](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/progress).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85972 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85972 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85972?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.4, published 12 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Progress Marklogic Server 11.x before 11.3.7, 12.x before 12.1.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85972?** Yes: fixed in MarkLogic Server 11.3.7, 12.1.0. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-85972 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85972?** Check whether you run Progress Marklogic Server 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

- Fixed in MarkLogic Server 11.3.7, 12.1.0

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an insufficient identity verification flaw in Kerberos authentication handling for password-based configurations in MarkLogic Server. An attacker positioned on the network can impersonate the legitimate Kerberos authentication service to gain unauthorized access. The issue affects versions 12.x before 12.1.0 and 11.x before 11.3.7.

## Affected products

- Progress MarkLogic Server 11.x before 11.3.7, 12.x before 12.1.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-12: disclosed

## References

- [https://community.progress.com/s/article/Marklogic-Critical-Security-Alert-Bulletin-October-2026](https://community.progress.com/s/article/Marklogic-Critical-Security-Alert-Bulletin-October-2026)

## Related threats

- [Progress MarkLogic Server HTTP response splitting in Query Console](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85976-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server cleartext S3 transport default](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85975-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server TLS hostname validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85974-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server cleartext cluster-management communications](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85973-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-may-use)
- [Progress MarkLogic Server log file permission disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85971-progress-marklogic-server-12-x-releases-before-12-1-0-and-11-x)