CVE-2026-72685Network attack vectorHinoki check available

Authenticated indexing disruption via crafted document processing

Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026

Inefficient algorithmic complexity in Elasticsearch allows remote authenticated users to disrupt indexing with a crafted document. Document processing performs disproportionate work on crafted user input, occupying one thread in a bounded worker pool for an extended period. Any low-privileged account able to index documents can degrade indexing availability on the affected node; one small document is sufficient in all configurations.

CVSS severity4.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkAvailable
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Summary

What happened

Inefficient algorithmic complexity in Elasticsearch allows remote authenticated users to disrupt indexing with a crafted document. Document processing performs disproportionate work on crafted user input, occupying one thread in a bounded worker pool for an extended period. Any low-privileged account able to index documents can degrade indexing availability on the affected node; one small document is sufficient in all configurations.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72685
Published
Aug 13, 2026
Updated
Aug 13, 2026
Vendor
Elastic
Product
Elasticsearch
Classifications
CWE-407, T1499
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 13, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=8.0.0 <=8.19.19
  2. Affected versionversion=9.0.0 <=9.4.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Elastic · Elasticsearchversion=8.0.0 <=8.19.19; version=9.0.0 <=9.4.4

Published CVSS scores

4.3ElasticCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-407Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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