CVE-2026-63144: Uncontrolled Recursion (CWE-674) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via a specially crafted search

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-63144 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting elasticsearch. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Uncontrolled Recursion (CWE-674) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via a specially crafted search request submitted by a low-privileged authenticated user. A user with read-level index access can submit a request that triggers unbounded recursive processing within the Elasticsearch query evaluation component, causing a fatal error that terminates the affected node. In single-node deployments, this results in complete service outage;

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-674
Published	2026-07-21
Last modified	2026-10-24

Publisher (CNA): Elastic · Vendor: elastic

Last updated 2026-10-24 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-21 23:18 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-24 17:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

elastic elasticsearch UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.19.0 and < 8.19.19 · >= 9.3.0 and < 9.3.8 · >= 9.4.0 and < 9.4.4

Fixed in: 8.19.19, 9.3.8, 9.4.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.19.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy elasticsearch || rpm -q elasticsearch || elasticsearch --version

2. UPGRADE to 8.19.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade elasticsearch

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade elasticsearch

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.19.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison elasticsearch sudo apt install elasticsearch=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.19.0> sudo apt-mark hold elasticsearch

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list elasticsearch sudo dnf downgrade elasticsearch-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.19.0> sudo dnf versionlock add elasticsearch

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · uv · FIXED · 0.13.5-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-0a45cde16b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0a45cde16b

Fedora ELN · oo7 · FIXED · 0.7.0~beta-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-f348262964 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-f348262964

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-63144?

elasticsearch: upgrade to 8.19.19, 9.3.8, 9.4.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-63144 being exploited?

CVE-2026-63144 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-63144 affect?

CVE-2026-63144 affects elasticsearch. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Uncontrolled Recursion (CWE-674) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via a specially crafted search request submitted by a low-privileged authenticated user. A user with read-level index access can submit a request that triggers

How urgent is CVE-2026-63144?

Priority 32/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Elasticsearch vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-56145 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (CWE-400) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via Excessive Alloc
CVE-2026-63136 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (CWE-400) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via Excessive Alloc
CVE-2026-63140 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Reachable Assertion (CWE-617) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via Input Data Manipulation (CAPE
CVE-2026-56144 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863) in Elasticsearch can allow an authenticated user with limited index privileg
CVE-2026-63263 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (CWE-400) in Elasticsearch can lead to denial of service via Exponential Dat

References

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