CVE-2026-14916: Kong API Gateway Enterprise: JWT Algorithm-Confusion
A JWT signature verification vulnerability affects Kong components that perform JWT validation for MCP OAuth2 or DataKit integrations inside Kong API Gateway Enterprise. The affected code does not properly validate that the JWT signing algorithm is compatible with the type of key used for verification.
As a result, an unauthenticated remote attacker may be able to craft a forged JWT that is incorrectly accepted as valid, leading to authentication bypass and potential compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which deployments are exposed to this issue?
Kong API Gateway Enterprise deployments are exposed where components validate JWTs for MCP OAuth2 or DataKit integrations. The provided information does not identify other JWT-validation use cases as affected.
What does an attacker need to exploit it?
An attacker may be able to exploit the issue remotely without authentication by crafting a forged JWT. Successful exploitation depends on the vulnerable JWT validation path accepting a signing algorithm that is incompatible with the verification key type.
What is the likely impact of successful exploitation?
A forged JWT could be accepted as valid, bypassing authentication. This could potentially compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.