CVE-2026-59780 Overview
CVE-2026-59780 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Apache CloudStack's Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) authentication plugin. The flaw allows any authenticated user to enumerate LDAP configurations through the listLdapConfigurations API. By default, this API endpoint is exposed to all default user roles, including low-privilege accounts. The vulnerability maps to [CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor]. Affected releases span Apache CloudStack 4.2.0.0 through 4.20.3.0 and 4.21.0.0 through 4.22.1.0. The Apache CloudStack project has released fixed versions 4.20.3.1 and 4.22.1.1.
Critical Impact
Any authenticated CloudStack user, including low-privileged accounts, can retrieve LDAP directory server configuration details useful for follow-on directory attacks.
Affected Products
- Apache CloudStack 4.2.0.0 through 4.20.3.0
- Apache CloudStack 4.21.0.0 through 4.22.1.0
- Deployments using the LDAP authentication plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-21 - CVE-2026-59780 published to NVD
- 2026-08-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-59780
Vulnerability Analysis
Apache CloudStack exposes an administrative API called listLdapConfigurations that returns configured LDAP server endpoints and related directory integration metadata. The API is intended for administrators managing external authentication, but its role-based access control mapping grants access to all default roles. As a result, any authenticated user, including standard end users, can query the endpoint and receive LDAP configuration details.
Disclosed data can include LDAP hostnames, ports, and directory topology used by CloudStack for authentication. Attackers can use this information to enumerate the internal identity infrastructure, target LDAP servers with brute force or protocol-level attacks, or plan lateral movement toward directory services. Because the vulnerability requires only network access and valid low-privilege credentials, it is exploitable in typical multi-tenant CloudStack deployments where tenant users share the management API.
Root Cause
The root cause is an authorization gap in the API role definitions for the LDAP plugin. The listLdapConfigurations command is registered without restricting invocation to administrative roles. Default role definitions in affected versions grant this permission broadly rather than limiting it to the Admin or Root Admin role.
Attack Vector
An attacker with any valid CloudStack user account authenticates to the CloudStack management API over the network. The attacker then issues a listLdapConfigurations API call and receives the LDAP configuration response. No user interaction, elevated privileges, or additional exploitation primitives are required. See the Apache Mailing List Discussion for the vendor advisory.
No verified public proof-of-concept is available. The vulnerability mechanism is straightforward and does not require code-level exploitation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-59780
Indicators of Compromise
- Requests to the CloudStack management API containing command=listLdapConfigurations originating from non-administrative user accounts.
- Unexpected API activity from tenant user API keys targeting authentication-related commands.
- LDAP server logs showing reconnaissance or authentication probing shortly after CloudStack API queries.
Detection Strategies
- Review CloudStack api-server and management-server access logs for listLdapConfigurations calls and correlate the invoking account role.
- Alert when non-admin roles invoke LDAP or authentication configuration APIs.
- Baseline expected administrative API usage and flag deviations from tenant user accounts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward CloudStack management server logs to a centralized log platform for retention and correlation.
- Monitor LDAP servers for reconnaissance activity such as anonymous binds, base DN enumeration, and password spraying following CloudStack API queries.
- Track API key usage per account and alert on first-time access to sensitive endpoints.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-59780
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache CloudStack to version 4.20.3.1, 4.22.1.1, or later as published in the Apache advisory.
- Audit CloudStack role definitions and remove listLdapConfigurations from non-administrative roles until patching is complete.
- Rotate LDAP bind credentials if configuration disclosure to untrusted accounts is suspected.
Patch Information
Apache CloudStack has released fixed versions 4.20.3.1 and 4.22.1.1. These releases restrict the listLdapConfigurations API to administrative roles. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Discussion for release notes and upgrade guidance.
Workarounds
- Modify CloudStack role permissions to deny the listLdapConfigurations API for User, DomainAdmin, and ResourceAdmin roles.
- Restrict access to the CloudStack management API to trusted networks using firewall or reverse-proxy access controls.
- Limit LDAP service exposure by ensuring the directory service is only reachable from CloudStack management hosts.
# Example: restrict listLdapConfigurations to Admin role only via commands.properties
# File: /etc/cloudstack/management/commands.properties
listLdapConfigurations=1
# 1 = Admin only, 3 = DomainAdmin+Admin, 15 = all roles
# After editing, restart the management server:
systemctl restart cloudstack-management
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
