CVE-2026-55994: Apache Camel Iggy: The inbound consumer maps externally-supplied Iggy message user-headers into the Exchange without a HeaderFilterStrategy, allowing injection of Camel control headers - enabling control over internal behaviour
Improper Input Validation, Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Apache Camel in Iggy component.
The camel-iggy consumer mapped the user-headers of inbound Iggy messages into the Camel Exchange header map without applying any HeaderFilterStrategy (IggyFetchRecords copied the message user-headers straight into the Exchange). Because nothing blocked the Camel header namespace, an actor able to publish to the consumed Iggy stream/topic could set Camel-internal control headers - including CamelHttpUri (Exchange.HTTPURI) - simply by supplying them as message user-headers. In a route where the Iggy consumer feeds a downstream HTTP producer, the injected CamelHttpUri redirects the server-side HTTP request to an attacker-chosen destination (server-side request forgery - for example to an internal service or a cloud metadata endpoint). In addition, the HTTP producer resolves Camel property placeholders on the resulting (attacker-controlled) URI, so placeholders embedded in the injected value - such as an environment-variable reference, an application property, or a vault reference - are resolved to their real values and sent to the attacker, disclosing environment variables, application properties and vault secrets. This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.17.0 before 4.18.3, from 4.19.0 before 4.21.0.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.21.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.3. The fix adds a dedicated IggyHeaderFilterStrategy (and a headerFilterStrategy endpoint option) that filters the Camel header namespace case-insensitively on inbound mapping, so externally-supplied Camel / camel headers are no longer copied into the Exchange. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, strip the Camel control headers from the inbound message before they reach any downstream producer (for example removeHeaders('Camel') and removeHeaders('camel') at the start of the route), restrict who can publish to the consumed Iggy stream/topic, and avoid bridging an untrusted consumer directly into an HTTP producer whose target URI can be driven from message headers.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Apache Camel (Iggy component)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.18.3 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Apache Camel (Iggy component)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.21.0 - Configuration
For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, strip Camel control headers from the inbound Iggy message before any downstream producer by removing headers matching 'Camel*' and 'camel*' at the start of the route.
Apache Camel route (Iggy consumer -> downstream) removeHeaders('Camel*') and removeHeaders('camel*') at the start of the route = Apply at route start - Compensating control
Restrict who can publish to the consumed Iggy stream/topic so only trusted actors can send messages.
- Compensating control
Avoid bridging an untrusted Iggy consumer directly into an HTTP producer whose target URI can be driven from message headers (especially where CamelHttpUri / Exchange.HTTP_URI may be set by injected user-headers).
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-55994?
CVE-2026-55994 has a risk score of 30, indicating a significant security vulnerability.
What types of vulnerabilities are present in CVE-2026-55994?
CVE-2026-55994 involves improper input validation, exposure of sensitive information, and server-side request forgery (SSRF).
How do I fix CVE-2026-55994?
To mitigate CVE-2026-55994, implement a HeaderFilterStrategy to properly sanitize headers before they are mapped into the Camel Exchange.
Which Apache Camel components are affected by CVE-2026-55994?
The vulnerability specifically affects the Iggy component of Apache Camel.
What can be exploited in CVE-2026-55994?
CVE-2026-55994 allows attackers to inject control headers into the Camel Exchange, potentially compromising internal behavior.