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CVE-2026-77185

CRITICAL 9.1

Published 2026-09-30 · Last modified 2026-09-30

Authentication bypass in sshd-core in Apache MINA SSHD versions 2.0.0 to 2.19.0 and 3.0.0-M1 to 3.0.0-M5 for a certain (presumed rare) way to implement an SSH server. Apache MINA SSHD is a Java library for client- and server-side SSH. In the server part of the library, a mechanism to perform "asynchronous authentication" exists. A server implemented with Apache MINA SSHD must contain explicit code to make use of this feature. The implementation of this feature was flawed and could potentially lead to skipping checking the signature in public-key or hostbased authentication, or returning a wrong result. Users are recommended to upgrade to Apache MINA SSHD 2.20.0 or 3.0.0-M6, which fix the logic error and which additionally forbid the use of this "asynchronous authentication" mechanism with the public-key or hostbased authentication schemes: if used, the SSH session will be closed and the server will log an entry indicating that asynchronous authentication may be used only with password or keyboard-interactive authentication.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 9.1), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.5%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 42nd percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

9.1CVSS 3.1 · CRITICAL

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityNone

What an attacker needs

  • ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
  • ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-77185/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-77185/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Apache Software Foundation

Products Apache Mina Sshd

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-305: Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

All CVSS metrics

  • CRITICAL 9.1 v3.1 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
  • CRITICAL 9.1 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References

Advisories

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS