An improper authorization vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka. The implementation of the CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE (69) API validates the DESCRIBE operation on the GROUP resource instead of the READ operation that documented in the official kafka documentation and the KIP-848. This discrepancy can result in misconfigured Access Control Lists (ACLs) and unintended security postures, like granting READ permission to users who should not be able to join/sync groups, or allowing users without READ permission (but with DESCRIBE permission) to access sensitive group metadata. The correct permission for CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE API is DESCRIBE GROUP so the current implementation is correct. However, the kafka documentation as well as the KIP-848 will be updated to reflect the correct permission. We advise the Kafka users to review existing group ACLs to ensure the principle of least privilege.
References
History

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apache
Apache kafka
Vendors & Products Apache
Apache kafka

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An improper authorization vulnerability has been identified in Apache Kafka. The implementation of the CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE (69) API validates the DESCRIBE operation on the GROUP resource instead of the READ operation that documented in the official kafka documentation and the KIP-848. This discrepancy can result in misconfigured Access Control Lists (ACLs) and unintended security postures, like granting READ permission to users who should not be able to join/sync groups, or allowing users without READ permission (but with DESCRIBE permission) to access sensitive group metadata. The correct permission for CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE API is DESCRIBE GROUP so the current implementation is correct. However, the kafka documentation as well as the KIP-848 will be updated to reflect the correct permission. We advise the Kafka users to review existing group ACLs to ensure the principle of least privilege.
Title Apache Kafka: Improper Authorization in CONSUMER_GROUP_DESCRIBE API
Weaknesses CWE-285
References

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: apache

Published:

Updated: 2026-06-02T08:56:43.636Z

Reserved: 2026-04-17T03:09:02.257Z

Link: CVE-2026-41115

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-06-02T10:16:25.107

Modified: 2026-06-02T10:16:25.107

Link: CVE-2026-41115

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-06-02T11:30:07Z