Apache WSS4J: WSS4J EncryptedHeader child confusion causing wrong protected-header selection (CVE-2026-89238) | HOL Guard CVE

Unknown severity · Source severity not reportedCVE-2026-89238

Apache WSS4J: WSS4J EncryptedHeader child confusion causing wrong protected-header selection

Answer in brief

CVE-2026-89238 records a Unknown severity vulnerability in Apache WSS4J: WSS4J EncryptedHeader child confusion causing wrong protected-header selection. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. The current feed maps Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Analysis pending evidence review

HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.

Published Sep 30, 2026Updated Sep 30, 2026Source checked Sep 30, 2026First seen by HOL Sep 30, 2026Material review Sep 30, 2026

Upstream Advisory

Key facts

Risk: Unknown severitySource severity not reported
Exploitation: Not marked as known exploited
Affected software: 1 mapped package or product
Fix availability: Available

Why this deserves its current priority

A CVSS score is not reported in the current record. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.

Analysis status

Analysis pending evidence review

Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.

Affected scope and exposure questions

The current feed maps Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Mapped affected packages and fixed versions
Package	Affected range	Fixed version
Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-domgeneric	>=4.0.0 <4.0.2 \|\| >=3.0.0 <3.0.6 \|\| >=0 <2.4.4	4.0.2, 3.0.6, 2.4.4

Recommended response

Check inventory. Check lockfiles and deployed manifests for Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom.
Review the reported fix. Update Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.wss4j:wss4j-ws-security-dom to 4.0.2 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.

Evidence timeline and material changes

Published upstream
Sep 30, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
Source modified
Sep 30, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
First seen by HOL
Sep 30, 2026

Sources and claim methodology

Upstream source description

WSS4J EncryptedHeader child confusion could promote an attacker-controlled plaintext element as the decrypted header, leading to incorrect confidentiality coverage and possible policy bypass. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.0.2 or 3.0.6 or 2.4.4, which fix this issue.

Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.