# CVE-2026-91085: Apache Karaf config:install command authorization bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91085-apache-karaf-s-shell-ssh-command-security-is-enforced-by-per  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-29. Updated: 2026-09-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-91085 · Severity: info · Published 2026-09-29

Apache Karaf is a modular Java application container used to run enterprise services. An authentication bypass in the config:install command allows any authenticated user to upload and overwrite arbitrary configuration files, including security-critical ACL files that control which users can run which commands. Since Karaf automatically reloads configuration changes without requiring a restart, an attacker could escalate privileges or disable security controls.

Technologies: [Apache Karaf](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/karaf). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-91085 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-91085 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-91085?** Informational severity, published 29 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Karaf all versions with the default ACL configuration.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-91085?** 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-2026-91085 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-91085?** Check whether you run Apache Karaf 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

The config:install shell command lacks an ACL rule and fails open when no matching rule is found, allowing any authenticated user to execute it. The command accepts a URL and fetches content into the Karaf etc directory with optional file override, and while path traversal is blocked, the etc directory contains all security-relevant configuration files including ACL definitions. An attacker can craft a malicious CFG file and upload it via config:install to override the ACL rules governing command authorization.

## Affected products

- Apache Karaf all versions with the default ACL configuration

## Timeline

- 2026-09-29: disclosed

## Related threats

- [Apache Karaf JMX RBAC bypass via MBean lifecycle operations](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92142-apache-karaf-exposes-a-jmx-mbeanserver-guarded-by)
- [Apache Karaf JDBC shell privilege escalation to RCE](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91048-the-jdbc-shell-command-scope-shipped-no-org-apache-karaf-command)
- [Apache Karaf config path traversal in ConfigRepositoryImpl](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91012-org-apache-karaf-config-core-impl-configrepositoryimpl-update-pid)
- [Apache Karaf instance-management command injection in javaOpts](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-91006-apache-karaf-s-instance-management-service-instanceserviceimpl)
- [Apache Karaf unbounded Metaspace growth via ThreadLocal caching](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92230-apache-karaf-unbounded-metaspace-growth-via-threadlocal-caching)
