Oracle Helidon: Missing authentication in MicroProfile Security
Summary
Oracle Helidon, a Java framework, has a flaw in its helidon-microprofile-security module in versions 4.0.0 to 4.5.5. An unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP can create, modify or delete critical data and access data accessible through Helidon. No credentials are required, and the CVSS base score is 9.1 (Critical). The module is usually embedded in custom or third-party Java applications rather than installed as a standalone product.
Affected
- Oracle Helidon, MicroProfile Security module (helidon-microprofile-security)
- Supported versions 4.0.0 to 4.5.5 (per CVE record)
- Packages that embed the module, e.g. io.helidon.microprofile.bundles:helidon-microprofile 4.0.0 to 4.5.5
Fixed in
- Fixed version: Unknown. Apply the updates from Oracle's October 2026 Critical Patch Update and confirm the fixed release in Oracle's advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor-published workaround was found.
Exploitation
- Exploited in the wild: Unknown. No known exploitation reported in the sources.
- Public proof of concept: None found; not confirmed absent.
- CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, automatable yes, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Inventory Java applications and dependency trees for helidon-microprofile-security or Helidon bundles (e.g. with mvn dependency:tree or an SBOM).
- Confirm the fixed version in Oracle's October 2026 advisory and patch affected applications.
- Restrict or remove internet exposure of affected services until patched.
- Monitor for exploitation signals, as the CVE was newly published and its status may change.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Oracle Security Alert: Critical Patch Update October 2026 www.oracle.com
- Oracle Security Blog: October 2026 Critical Patch Update released blogs.oracle.com
- NVD record via Vulners: CVE-2026-101590 vulners.com
- CVELIST record via Vulners: CVE-2026-101590 vulners.com
- Oracle October 2026 CPU via Vulners vulners.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-101590 www.strix.ai
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 05:50.
Original description (NVD)
Vulnerability in the Helidon product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: helidon-microprofile-security). Supported versions that are affected are 4.0.0-4.5.5. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Helidon. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Helidon accessible data as well as unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Helidon accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.1 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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