OpenSearch has ineffective TLS certificate hostname verification
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Spoofing
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-295.
Summary
### Description A regression was introduced in OpenSearch 2.18.0 that caused the `plugins.security.ssl.transport.enforce_hostname_verification` setting to be ineffective. When this setting was enabled, OpenSearch did not verify that the hostname in a connecting node's TLS certificate matched the hostname of the connection. This could allow a node with a valid certificate (signed by the cluster's trusted CA) but an incorrect hostname SAN to join the cluster. ### Impact Clusters running affected versions with hostname verification enabled did not receive the expected protection from this setting. A node presenting a certificate signed by the cluster's trusted CA could join the cluster regardless of whether its hostname SAN matched. This regression does not affect certificate validation itself — only the additional hostname verification check. ### Patches This issue is fixed in OpenSearch 2.19.4 and 3.3.0. ### Workarounds Use more restrictive values for `plugins.security.nodes_dn` to limit which certificates are accepted for node-to-node communication.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) | 2.18.0 to before 2.19.4.0 | 2.19.4.0 | Patch available | GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m |
| — | org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) | 3.0.0 to before 3.3.0.0 | 3.3.0.0 | Patch available | GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m |
- org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) Vendor— Affected 2.18.0 to before 2.19.4.0 Fixed in 2.19.4.0 Patch available GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m
- org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) Vendor— Affected 3.0.0 to before 3.3.0.0 Fixed in 3.3.0.0 Patch available GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) Fixed in 2.19.4.0 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m org.opensearch.plugin:opensearch-security (Maven) Fixed in 3.3.0.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-x5hg-x4gv-j98m
References
Sources
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