CVE-2025-27533: Apache ActiveMQ: Unchecked buffer length can cause excessive memory allocation

Published May 6, 2025
·
Updated

Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ.

During unmarshalling of OpenWire commands the size value of buffers was not properly validated which could lead to excessive memory allocation and be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) by depleting process memory, thereby affecting applications and services that rely on the availability of the ActiveMQ broker when not using mutual TLS connections. This issue affects Apache ActiveMQ: from 6.0.0 before 6.1.6, from 5.18.0 before 5.18.7, from 5.17.0 before 5.17.7, before 5.16.8. ActiveMQ 5.19.0 is not affected.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.1.6+, 5.19.0+, 5.18.7+, 5.17.7, or 5.16.8 or which fixes the issue.

Existing users may implement mutual TLS to mitigate the risk on affected brokers.

Affected Software

15 affected componentsFixes available
Apache ActiveMQ>=6.0.0, <6.1.6, >=5.18.0, <5.18.7, >=5.17.0, <5.17.7, <5.16.8
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client>=6.0.0<6.1.6
6.1.6
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client>=5.18.0<5.18.7
5.18.7
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client>=5.17.0<5.17.7
5.17.7
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy>=6.0.0<6.1.6
6.1.6
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy>=5.18.0<5.18.7
5.18.7
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy>=5.17.0<5.17.7
5.17.7
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client<5.16.8
5.16.8
maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy<5.16.8
5.16.8
Apache ActiveMQ>=5.16.0<5.16.8
Apache ActiveMQ>=5.17.0<5.17.7
Apache ActiveMQ>=5.18.0<5.18.7
Apache ActiveMQ>=6.0.0<6.1.6
IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS and DOORS Web Access<=9.7.2.1 - 9.7.2.11
IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS and DOORS Web Access<=9.6.1.1 - 9.6.1.13

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.6
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.18.7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.17.7
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.6
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.18.7
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.17.7
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-client to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.16.8
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade maven/org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.16.8
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.6+
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.19.0+
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.18.7+
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.17.7
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.16.8
  14. Compensating control

    Implement mutual TLS on affected Apache ActiveMQ brokers to mitigate the risk when not using mutual TLS connections.

Event History

May 7, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:59 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:59 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Advisory Published
via GitHub·09:31 AM
Data Sourced
via GitHub·09:31 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·10:01 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 9, 2025
Exploit Published
12:00 AM
Known Exploited
02:20 PM
Jul 6, 2026
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-27533?

CVE-2025-27533 is classified as a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability impacting Apache ActiveMQ.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-27533?

To remediate CVE-2025-27533, upgrade Apache ActiveMQ to version 6.1.6 or 5.18.7, or the latest versions beyond the affected ranges.

3

Which versions of Apache ActiveMQ are affected by CVE-2025-27533?

CVE-2025-27533 affects Apache ActiveMQ versions from 5.17.0 to 5.17.7, 5.18.0 to 5.18.7, and 6.0.0 to 6.1.6.

4

What can attackers exploit in CVE-2025-27533?

Attackers can exploit CVE-2025-27533 by sending OpenWire commands that cause excessive memory allocation, leading to service disruption.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2025-27533?

There are no specific workarounds for CVE-2025-27533; the recommended action is to apply the appropriate updates.

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