CVE-2026-102460

What it is

In Eclipse Vert.x versions [4.0.0, 4.5.34] or [5.0.0,5.0.12] or [5.1.0,5.1.9] or [5.2.0, 5.2.0], a scope bypass vulnerability exists in Eclipse Vert.x Web's ChainAuthHandler when used with scope-requiring authentication handlers such as JWTAuthHandler or OAuth2AuthHandler. When a user is already authenticated on the routing context by a preceding handler in the request pipeline, ChainAuthHandler skips all scope validation configured via withScope() or withScopes(). This affects both any() and all() chain modes. The root cause is that postAuthentication() relies on internal state that is only set during the authenticate() phase, which is skipped entirely for pre-authenticated users. In any() mode, the absence of this state causes the method to fall through without delegating scope checks to any handler. In all() mode, scope checks are unconditionally skipped. This allows a user with a valid token but insufficient scopes to access resources protected by scope requirements, provided they were authenticated by an earlier handler in the pipeline. The most common trigger is overlapping authentication handlers on nested routes, where a parent route authenticates broadly and a child route uses a chain to enforce specific scopes. The impacted component Maven coordinate is io.vertx:vertx-web

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-10-14 19:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-20 18:19 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-10-14 19:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-20 18:19 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-863 · Incorrect authorization

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Eclipse vert.x < 4.5.35
• Eclipse vert.x < 5.1.10
• Eclipse vert.x 5.2.0

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 8.6

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None