Elasticsearch PKI Realm Authentication Bypass Vulnerability Allows User Impersonation Through Crafted Client Certificates
Improper Authentication in Elasticsearch PKI realm can lead to user impersonation via specially crafted client certificates. A malicious actor would need to have such a crafted client certificate signed by a legitimate, trusted Certificate Authority.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core | >= 7.0.0-alpha1, < 8.19.8, >= 9.0.0-beta1, < 9.1.8, >= 9.2.0, < 9.2.2 | 8.19.8, 9.1.8, 9.2.2 |
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-security | >= 7.0.0-alpha1, < 8.19.8, >= 9.0.0-beta1, < 9.1.8, >= 9.2.0, < 9.2.2 | 8.19.8, 9.1.8, 9.2.2 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-37731
- https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/commit/cd97b8566bf56e628070021300784cb9cee0286f
- https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/commit/d8a408da79f214395845d99d241e832077045983
- https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/commit/e519fe4c51a3c887675eb7daea2f914738847f23
- https://discuss.elastic.co/t/elasticsearch-8-19-8-9-1-8-and-9-2-2-security-update-esa-2025-27/384063
- https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-287, CWE-295- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core, org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-security- Disclosed
- 15.12.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-m9gh-789g-q5pv - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.elasticsearch.plugin:x-pack-core
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 2
- First → latest
- 12.2025 12.2025
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Medium 2
Disclosures per year
- 2025: 2
- 2026: 0
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Elasticsearch PKI Realm Authentication Bypass Vulnerability Allows User Impersonation Through Crafted Client Certificates this entry
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