CVE-2026-66756
Description
A flaw was found in Apache Tika. A remote attacker could exploit an improper protection of alternate path vulnerability in the unpack endpoint of tika-server. This issue occurs when the unpack endpoint is configured with unsecureFeatures=false, potentially allowing unintended access or manipulation of data.
Statement
This vulnerability is rated as Important severity because unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit path validation failures across the network to access or manipulate data without requiring user interaction. In typical Red Hat deployments, the vulnerable server daemon and its unpack interface are not enabled or exposed by default. Exploitation is further constrained because it requires network reachability to a server instance handling untrusted inputs while configured under specific non-default endpoint parameters.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
