CVE-2026-40859 Details
Description
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Apache Camel. The camel-vertx-http component deserializes HTTP response bodies carrying the Content-Type application/x-java-serialized-object using a raw java.io.ObjectInputStream, without applying any ObjectInputFilter (VertxHttpHelper.deserializeJavaObjectFromStream) This deserialization path is reached only when the producer endpoint is configured with transferException=true (or the component-level allowJavaSerializedObject=true) and throwExceptionOnFailure is left at its default value of true; in that case a backend HTTP response with a 5xx status and the application/x-java-serialized-object content type has its body deserialized with no class restrictions. An attacker who controls the backend the Camel producer talks to - through a man-in-the-middle position on an unencrypted (plain HTTP) connection, or by compromising the backend service - can return a crafted serialized Java object and, if a suitable gadget chain is present on the classpath, achieve remote code execution on the Camel application host. The path is not reachable in the default configuration, where transferException is false. This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.0.0 before 4.14.8, from 4.15.0 before 4.18.3, from 4.19.0 before 4.20.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.20.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.14.x LTS releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.14.8. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.3. After upgrading, the deserialization performed by both helper utilities is constrained by a default ObjectInputFilter (allow-list java.**;javax.**;org.apache.camel.**;!*), which can be customised through the new deserializationFilter endpoint option or the JVM-wide -Djdk.serialFilter system property. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately: do not enable transferException=true (or allowJavaSerializedObject=true) on producers that talk to untrusted or network-reachable backends; ensure producer connections use TLS (https) so that a response cannot be substituted by a man-in-the-middle; and, where the option is required, set an explicit -Djdk.serialFilter allow-list (for example java.**;org.apache.camel.**;!*) to constrain deserialization.
A deserialization vulnerability has been identified in the Apache Camel components camel-vertx-http and camel-netty-http. This issue arises when these components process HTTP response bodies with the Content-Type 'application/x-java-serialized-object'. The deserialization is performed using a raw ObjectInputStream, without any ObjectInputFilter applied, which can lead to remote code execution. This vulnerability is triggered when the producer endpoint is configured to transfer exceptions and the default throwExceptionOnFailure setting is enabled. Under these conditions, a backend HTTP response with a 5xx status and the 'application/x-java-serialized-object' content type can be exploited by an attacker controlling the backend service or through a man-in-the-middle attack on an unencrypted connection.
Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Camel versions 4.20.0, 4.14.8, or 4.18.3, depending on their current version stream. After upgrading, the deserialization process will be restricted by a default ObjectInputFilter, which can be customized if needed. For those unable to upgrade immediately, it is recommended to disable the transferException option on producers connected to untrusted backends, use TLS for producer connections, and set an explicit JVM-wide serialFilter allow-list to control deserialization.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed Jul 6, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
By selecting these links, you will be leaving this site. These are references gathered from the official CVE record and are not endorsed by Volerion.
| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/05/3 | CVE | Mailing ListThird Party Advisory |
| https://camel.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-40859.html | [email protected] | MitigationVendor Advisory |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-502 | Deserialization of Untrusted Data | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| apache camel | >= 4.0.0, < 4.14.8 >= 4.15.0, < 4.18.3 4.19.0 |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
4 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Jul 6, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jul 6, 2026 | CVE Modified | CVE |
| Jul 6, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |