CVE-2026-84439: apache software foundation apache zookeeper Improper Output Neutralization for Logs

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-84439 is a medium (CVSS 5.3) Improper Output Neutralization for Logs vulnerability in apache software foundation apache zookeeper. EPSS estimates a 0.74% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 53.7% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 16-09-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 17-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

When audit logging is enabled (zookeeper.audit.enable=true), an unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary fields into Apache ZooKeeper's audit log by sending a digest authentication request with tab characters (\t) embedded in the username. Because the audit log uses tab-separated key=value format, the injected tabs are parsed as legitimate field separators, allowing the attacker to spoof audit results (e.g., injecting result=success), forge operation types, and corrupt forensic evidence. A log injection vulnerability in Apache ZooKeeper allows a client that can call setACL to inject forged key-value fields into zookeeper_audit.log. When audit logging is enabled, the server serializes attacker-controlled digest ACL ids into the acl= audit field without escaping tab characters. Because audit events are emitted as tab-separated key=value records, a crafted ACL id can make one successful setAcl event appear to contain forged fields such as operation=delete and znode=/forged. This undermines the integrity of downstream audit parsing, alerting, and incident response. This issue affects Apache ZooKeeper: from 3.9.0 through 3.9.5, from 3.8.0 through 3.8.6. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 3.9.6 or 3.8.7, which fixes the issue.

• CWE-117Improper Output Neutralization for LogsThe product constructs a log message from external input, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements when the message is written to a log file.