CVE-2026-78165: Apache Camel: Camel-Spring-Redis Unfiltered Java Deserialization of Redis Payloads
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Apache Camel Spring Redis component.
This issue affects Apache Camel: from 2.11.0 before 4.18.5, from 4.19.0 before 4.22.1.
RedisConfiguration.getSerializer lazily built a bare JdkSerializationRedisSerializer whenever no serializer option was configured, and that instance was used for every read the component performs. Spring's implementation delegates through DeserializingConverter to DefaultDeserializer, which reads the bytes with a ConfigurableObjectInputStream and installs no java.io.ObjectInputFilter on the stream, so an arbitrary serialized class graph was materialised and its readObject method executed. RedisConsumer.setBody applied that serializer to the raw bytes of every message published to the subscribed channels, before the Exchange was constructed and therefore before any route logic could inspect the message, so an actor able to issue PUBLISH on a subscribed channel reached the deserialization sink directly. The same default serializer backed the RedisTemplate built by RedisConfiguration.createDefaultTemplate, so the producer read commands GET, HGET, HGETALL and HVALS deserialized whatever was stored in the Redis keyspace, and SpringRedisIdempotentRepository shared that template. Configuring a custom redisTemplate did not close the consumer path, because RedisConsumer.setBody reads getSerializer directly rather than the serializer attached to the template, so a deployment that had wired a String serializer into its own template remained exposed on the consumer side unless it also set the serializer option. The component never constructed a java.io.ObjectInputStream itself, which is why earlier passes over the Camel codebase for unfiltered Java deserialization did not reach it. The behaviour dates back to the introduction of the component, first released in 2.11.0, and was unchanged until this fix.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.23.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.22.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.22.1. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.5. The 4.14.x releases stream and earlier reached end of life before this issue was resolved and will not receive a fix, so deployments on those lines must move to a supported release. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, set the JVM-wide jdk.serialFilter system property, which the affected code path honours because it reads through a java.io.ObjectInputStream, for example -Djdk.serialFilter=!java.net.;java.;javax.;org.apache.camel.;! ; or set the serializer endpoint option to a serializer that does not use Java serialization, such as StringRedisSerializer, noting that this must be set as the serializer option and not only on a custom redisTemplate. As defence in depth, require authentication on the Redis instance and restrict which clients may publish to the subscribed channels, and do not expose a Redis instance consumed by Camel to untrusted networks.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Apache Camelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.23.0 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Apache Camelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.18.5 - Upgrade
Upgrade
Apache Camelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.22.1 - Configuration
Set the JVM-wide jdk.serialFilter system property to restrict deserialization for deployments that cannot upgrade immediately.
JVM jdk.serialFilter = !java.net.**;java.**;javax.**;org.apache.camel.**;!* - Configuration
Set the serializer endpoint option to StringRedisSerializer, rather than relying only on a serializer configured on a custom redisTemplate.
Apache Camel Spring Redis serializer = StringRedisSerializer - Compensating control
Require authentication on the Redis instance, restrict which clients may publish to subscribed channels, and do not expose a Redis instance consumed by Camel to untrusted networks.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which deployments are exposed by the default configuration?
Deployments using the affected Camel Spring Redis component without a serializer option configured are exposed. In that case, the component lazily creates and uses a JDK serialization-based serializer for Redis reads.
What access does an attacker need to trigger the vulnerable deserialization path?
For a Redis consumer, an attacker needs the ability to issue PUBLISH on a channel to which the component is subscribed. For producer read operations, attacker-controlled serialized data must be present in Redis keys read through GET, HGET, HGETALL, or HVALS.
Can route logic validate or reject a malicious consumer message before deserialization?
No. The consumer deserializes the raw Redis message bytes before constructing the Exchange, so route logic does not get an opportunity to inspect the payload first.
Which versions are affected?
Affected versions are Apache Camel Spring Redis from 2.11.0 before 4.18.5, and from 4.19.0 before 4.22.1. Versions 4.18.5 and 4.22.1 contain the respective fixes.