# CVE-2026-94052: Apache MINA SSHD authentication bypass in LdapPasswordAuthenticator

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94052-a-missing-check-in-ldappasswordauthenticator-in-component-sshd  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-30. Updated: 2026-09-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-94052 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-09-30

Apache MINA SSHD is a Java library that provides SSH server functionality. SSH servers using the optional LDAP password authentication component can be bypassed, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems without valid credentials. This affects only servers that explicitly use the LDAP authentication component; systems using standard password authentication are not vulnerable.

Technologies: [Apache MINA SSHD](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/mina-sshd). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-94052 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-94052 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-94052?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 30 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache MINA SSHD 1.2.0 to 2.19.0, 3.0.0-M1 to 3.0.0-M5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-94052?** A patch was published on 2026-09-30: versions 2.20.0 and 3.0.0-M6 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-94052 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-94052?** Check whether you run Apache MINA SSHD 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

A missing validation check in the LdapPasswordAuthenticator component of Apache MINA SSHD permits authentication bypass during password authentication against LDAP. The vulnerability exists in versions 1.2.0–2.19.0 and 3.0.0-M1–3.0.0-M5, requiring the affected sshd-ldap component to be in use. An unauthenticated network attacker can exploit this to bypass password verification and gain shell access.

## Affected products

- Apache MINA SSHD 1.2.0 to 2.19.0, 3.0.0-M1 to 3.0.0-M5

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed
- 2026-09-30: patched: versions 2.20.0 and 3.0.0-M6 released

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/qch5kdwwms13y6bylb7c6qqzq718wn24](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/qch5kdwwms13y6bylb7c6qqzq718wn24)

## Related threats

- [Apache MINA SSHD LDAP injection authentication bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94053-authentication-bypass-via-ldap-injection-in-component-sshd-ldap)
- [Apache MINA SSHD memory exhaustion in SFTP check-file extension](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94029-server-side-memory-exhaustion-in-apache-mina-sshd-1-0-0-to-2-19-0)
- [Apache MINA SSHD memory exhaustion in SFTP client](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94002-possible-memory-exhaustion-in-sftp-clients-defaultsftpclient-in)
- [Apache MINA SSHD denial of service via SCP protocol line length](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93996-uncontrolled-resource-consumption-in-component-ssd-scp-in-apache)
- [Apache MINA SSHD improper input validation in sshd-git](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93995-improper-input-validation-in-sshd-git-in-apache-mina-sshd)