CVE-2026-9797 Keycloak: keycloak: privilege escalation via client authentication manipulation by an authenticated administrator

Description

A flaw was found in Keycloak's administrative services (org.keycloak.services.resources.admin). A highly privileged attacker, authenticated with a 'manage-clients' role, could exploit this vulnerability through several methods, including manipulating client JSON Web Key Sets (JWKS), swapping client authenticator types and resetting secrets, or downloading legitimate signing keys. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to obtain a token with 'realm-admin' role assignments, leading to privilege escalation and potential unauthorized access to sensitive resources.

Exploitable remotely over the network, with an administrator account and without any user action; an attacker can seriously compromise confidentiality, integrity or availability.

Attack vector

Network

Attack complexity

Low

Privileges required

High

Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Affected products and versions