CVE-2026-102795: Apache Traffic Server Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2026-102795 Overview

CVE-2026-102795 is an Improper Access Control vulnerability [CWE-284] in Apache Traffic Server (ATS). The flaw affects ATS versions 9.0.0 through 9.2.14 and 10.0.0 through 10.1.3. The Apache Software Foundation recommends upgrading to version 9.2.15 or 10.1.4 to remediate the issue.

This CVE supersedes CVE-2026-41920. The earlier record incorrectly listed the affected 9.x range as 9.0.0 through 9.1.14 with a fix in 9.1.15. All 9.2.x releases before 9.2.15 are affected.

Critical Impact
Network-reachable attackers can bypass access controls in Apache Traffic Server, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of downstream systems proxied through the server.

Affected Products

Apache Traffic Server 9.0.0 through 9.2.14
Apache Traffic Server 10.0.0 through 10.1.3
All 9.2.x releases prior to 9.2.15

Discovery Timeline

2026-10-02 - CVE-2026-102795 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-10-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-102795

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-102795 is classified as Improper Access Control [CWE-284] in Apache Traffic Server, a widely deployed HTTP caching proxy and reverse proxy. The weakness allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to reach resources or trigger behaviors that should be gated by the server's access control logic.

Because ATS commonly sits in front of origin services, a bypass at the proxy layer can expose downstream applications to requests that would otherwise be filtered. The scoped impact affects the confidentiality and integrity of subsequent systems reached through the proxy.

Apache's advisory supersedes CVE-2026-41920 after it was determined that the 9.2.x branch required additional fixes. Operators who relied on the earlier record may still be running vulnerable builds.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper enforcement of access control decisions inside Apache Traffic Server's request handling path. The advisory does not publish exploit-level detail. See the Apache Mailing List Thread and the CVE-2026-41920 Record for upstream context.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable Apache Traffic Server instance. Successful exploitation lets the attacker influence downstream proxied resources beyond the policy configured by the operator.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at the time of publication. Technical details are described in prose per advisory guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-102795

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests reaching origin services that should have been filtered by ATS access control rules.
Proxy access logs showing successful responses for routes or methods that policy should reject.
Spikes in requests from untrusted sources targeting administrative or internal paths behind the proxy.

Detection Strategies

Compare the running traffic_server version against fixed releases 9.2.15 and 10.1.4 across all proxy nodes.
Audit remap.config, ip_allow.yaml, and plugin configurations to confirm which routes are intended to be access-controlled, then correlate with actual proxy logs.
Hunt for anomalous origin traffic patterns in SIEM data that deviate from the baseline enforced by the ATS access policy.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Apache Traffic Server access and error logs to a centralized logging platform for continuous review.
Alert on 2xx responses to requests that match sensitive route patterns from external source IPs.
Track the version banner and build metadata of all ATS instances during routine configuration audits.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-102795

Immediate Actions Required

Inventory all Apache Traffic Server deployments and identify instances running 9.0.0 through 9.2.14 or 10.0.0 through 10.1.3.
Upgrade affected instances to 9.2.15 or 10.1.4 as published by the Apache Software Foundation.
Re-validate operators that migrated based on the superseded CVE-2026-41920 record, since 9.2.x builds remained vulnerable.

Patch Information

The Apache Software Foundation has released fixed versions 9.2.15 and 10.1.4. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread for the official announcement and change references. There is no vendor-provided workaround that substitutes for upgrading.

Workarounds

Restrict network reachability to Apache Traffic Server management and listener ports using upstream firewall or security group rules until patching is complete.
Tighten ip_allow.yaml and remap.config entries to reduce the exposed surface where feasible.
Place a secondary access control layer, such as a hardened reverse proxy or WAF, in front of ATS where upgrade windows are delayed.

bash

# Verify Apache Traffic Server version on each node
traffic_server -V

# Example upgrade path on Debian/Ubuntu style systems
sudo systemctl stop trafficserver
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install trafficserver=9.2.15
sudo systemctl start trafficserver
traffic_server -V