CVE-2026-24656 in Karaf
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2026
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Apache Karaf Decanter.
The Decanter log socket collector exposes the port 4560, without authentication. If the collector exposes allowed classes property, this configuration can be bypassed. It means that the log socket collector is vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted data, eventually causing DoS.
NB: Decanter log socket collector is not installed by default. Users who have not installed Decanter log socket are not impacted by this issue.
This issue affects Apache Karaf Decanter before 2.12.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.12.0, which fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-24656 represents a critical deserialization flaw within Apache Karaf Decanter's log socket collector component. This security weakness stems from the improper handling of untrusted data during the deserialization process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the log socket collector listens on port 4560 without requiring authentication, establishing a potential attack surface that could be leveraged for unauthorized system compromise. The issue is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution through crafted serialized data that bypasses normal security restrictions, making it a significant threat to system integrity and availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Decanter log socket collector's deserialization mechanism, which fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. When the collector is configured with the allowed classes property, this configuration can be circumvented through specific attack vectors that manipulate the deserialization process. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and sanitization. This flaw creates a condition where unauthenticated remote attackers can send malicious serialized objects to the listening port, potentially leading to remote code execution or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise to include potential complete system takeover and service disruption. The lack of authentication on port 4560 means that any network-accessible system with the vulnerable Decanter component could be exploited by attackers without requiring prior access credentials. This creates a high-risk scenario where the vulnerability can be exploited from any location on the network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented. The potential for denial of service represents a significant operational concern, as it could render critical logging infrastructure unavailable and compromise the organization's ability to monitor and respond to security incidents effectively. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it affects all versions prior to 2.12.0, meaning organizations running older versions are inherently exposed to this risk.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to Apache Karaf Decanter version 2.12.0, which includes the necessary patches to address the deserialization flaw. The upgrade process should be carefully planned and tested in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing systems and configurations. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of port 4560 to only trusted network segments. Additional mitigation strategies include monitoring for suspicious network traffic on port 4560, implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within the Apache Karaf ecosystem. The vulnerability's relationship to the ATT&CK framework's T1210 technique for exploitation of remote services further emphasizes the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and runtime application protection measures to provide additional layers of defense against similar deserialization attacks. The security community should remain vigilant about similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Apache Karaf platform and ensure that all third-party libraries and components are regularly updated to address known security flaws.