# CVE-2026-94053: Apache MINA SSHD LDAP injection authentication bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94053-authentication-bypass-via-ldap-injection-in-component-sshd-ldap  
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-2026-94053 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-09-30

Apache MINA SSHD is a Java library that enables SSH server and client functionality. When configured to use the optional sshd-ldap component for user authentication, a flaw in LDAP filter handling allows attackers to bypass authentication by using wildcard characters, gaining unauthorized SSH access to any account.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-94053 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-94053 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-94053?** 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 and 3.0.0-M1 to 3.0.0-M5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-94053?** 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-2026-94053 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-94053?** 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

The sshd-ldap component fails to properly escape LDAP filter metacharacters, allowing LDAP injection attacks. An unauthenticated remote attacker can authenticate by using "*" as both username and password, bypassing credential validation. The vulnerability affects versions 1.2.0 through 2.19.0 and 3.0.0-M1 through 3.0.0-M5; it is fixed by proper RFC 4515 escaping of filter parameters in versions 2.20.0 and 3.0.0-M6.

## Affected products

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

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/cyrxkdzl3c70rrqs3klqphqz1hwm7p41](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/cyrxkdzl3c70rrqs3klqphqz1hwm7p41)

## Related threats

- [Apache MINA SSHD authentication bypass in LdapPasswordAuthenticator](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94052-a-missing-check-in-ldappasswordauthenticator-in-component-sshd)
- [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)