CVE-2026-42403

Apache Neethi: Circular Policy Reference Infinite Loop

Published May 1, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Apache Neethi does not properly detect circular references in policy definitions. When a WS-Policy document contains circular policy references (where Policy A references Policy B which references Policy A), the policy normalization process can enter an infinite loop or cause excessive recursion, leading to a stack overflow or application hang. An attacker can craft malicious policy documents with circular references to cause a Denial of Service condition

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.2.2, which fixes this issue.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-2hfh-9h53-qc24 Apache Neethi does not properly detect circular references in policy definitions.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apache
Apache neethi
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:apache:neethi:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apache
Apache neethi
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Apache Neethi does not properly detect circular references in policy definitions. When a WS-Policy document contains circular policy references (where Policy A references Policy B which references Policy A), the policy normalization process can enter an infinite loop or cause excessive recursion, leading to a stack overflow or application hang. An attacker can craft malicious policy documents with circular references to cause a Denial of Service condition Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.2.2, which fixes this issue.
Title Apache Neethi: Circular Policy Reference Infinite Loop
Weaknesses CWE-400
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apache
Published
Updated
May 1, 2026, 4:21 PM
Reserved
Apr 27, 2026, 10:33 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 1, 2026, 9:16 AM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 9:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
May 1, 2026, 8:38 AM