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CVE Record

CVE-2026-27840: ZITADEL's truncated opaque tokens are still valid

ZITADEL is an open source identity management platform. Starting in version 2.31.0 and prior to versions 3.4.7 and 4.11.0, opaque OIDC access tokens in the v2 format truncated to 80 characters are still considered valid. Zitadel uses a symmetric AES encryption for opaque tokens. The cleartext payload is a concatenation of a couple of identifiers, such as a token ID and user ID. Internally Zitadel has 2 different versions of token payloads. v1 tokens are no longer created, but are still verified as to not invalidate existing session after upgrade. The cleartext payload has a format of `<token_id>:<user_id>`. v2 tokens distinguished further where the `token_id` is of the format `v2_<oidc_session_id>-at_<access_token_id>`. V1 token authZ/N session data is retrieved from the database using the (simple) `token_id` value and `user_id` value. The `user_id` (called `subject` in some parts of our code) was used as being the trusted user ID. V2 token authZ/N session data is retrieved from the database using the `oidc_session_id` and `access_token_id` and in this case the `user_id` from the token is ignored and taken from the session data in the database. By truncating the token to 80 chars, the user_id is now missing from the cleartext of the v2 token. The back-end still accepts this for above reasons. This issue is not considered exploitable, but may look awkward when reproduced. The patch in versions 4.11.0 and 3.4.7 resolves the issue by verifying the `user_id` from the token against the session data from the database. No known workarounds are available.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

ZITADEL accepted certain shortened OIDC opaque access tokens as valid in affected versions. The vendor states the issue is not considered exploitable, but it indicates improper token validation in an identity system. Fixed releases are available for supported 3.x and 4.x branches.

Executive priority

Handle as a planned identity-platform update, not an emergency, unless internal risk policy treats all authentication validation flaws as urgent. Prioritize internet-facing or shared identity services first.

Technical view

In ZITADEL 2.31.0 through affected 3.x and 4.x versions, v2 opaque tokens truncated to 80 characters could still validate because the missing user_id was not checked against database session data. Versions 3.4.7 and 4.11.0 add verification of the user_id against session data. CVSS is 4.3, integrity impact low.

Likely exposure

Organizations running ZITADEL >=4.0.0 and <4.11.0, >=3.0.0 and <3.4.7, or >=2.31.0 through 2.71.19 may be affected. Exposure depends on use of opaque OIDC access tokens in the v2 format.

Exploitation context

The source states this issue is not considered exploitable. There is no KEV listing in the provided data and no cited evidence of active exploitation. Reproduction may appear concerning because truncated tokens validate, but the advisory does not describe a practical attack path.

Researcher notes

The flaw relates to token format compatibility between v1 and v2 payload handling. The patch validates the token user_id against session data. Public sources do not provide evidence of privilege escalation, confidentiality impact, availability impact, or active exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade ZITADEL 4.x deployments to version 4.11.0 or later.
  • Upgrade ZITADEL 3.x deployments to version 3.4.7 or later.
  • For 2.x deployments, check vendor guidance for supported remediation options.
  • Document affected identity environments and prioritize normal change management.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all ZITADEL instances and record exact versions.
  • Confirm whether OIDC opaque access tokens are used.
  • Verify upgraded systems report version 3.4.7, 4.11.0, or later.
  • Review vendor advisory and release notes for deployment-specific instructions.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-302: Exact CWE lookup

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description · low confidence lookup

Credential and access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
description · low confidence lookup

Database behavior lookup

The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-27840 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-27840Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
zitadelzitadel>= 4.0.0, < 4.11.0, >= 3.0.0, < 3.4.7, >= 2.31.0, <= 2.71.19Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-302 · source CWE mapping

Authentication Bypass by Assumed-Immutable Data

Authentication Bypass by Assumed-Immutable Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.