CVE-2026-91006Apache Karaf: OS Command Injection in Child-Instance Launch (instance:* / InstancesMBean)
Updated under an hour ago ()
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It affects Apache Software Foundation Apache Karaf and 1 other product. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.14%, higher than 66% of scored CVEs.
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Apache Karaf's instance-management service (InstanceServiceImpl) builds the command line used to launch a child Karaf JVM by string concatenation, then executes it through /bin/sh (Unix) or cscript (Windows). The caller-supplied javaOpts value is spliced into that string unquoted. A javaOpts value containing shell metacharacters (;, |, `, $(...)) is interpreted by the shell instead of being passed to the JVM as an option, giving arbitrary OS command execution as the Karaf process user. Reachable via the shell commands instance:create, instance:start, instance:restart, instance:change-opts, and the equivalent InstanceMBean JMX operations (createInstance, startInstance, changeJavaOpts, cloneInstance). Mitigation * Set karaf.secured.command.compulsory.roles=admin in etc/system.properties to close the fail-open gap for all unconfigured command scopes. * Restrict which principals can reach instance:* commands and InstancesMBean via etc/users.properties role assignments. * Treat javaOpts passed to instance:create/instance:start/instance:change-opts/InstancesMBean as untrusted input only from fully-trusted operators.
- CVSS
- 8.8 HIGH (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-78
- Known exploited
- Not in CISA's KEV catalog
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 1.14% (percentile 66)
- Assigned by
- apache
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Sep 29, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
Apache Software Foundation Apache Karaf apache_software_foundation:apache_karaf (from the name) | before 4.4.12 | CNA record |
apache karaf apache:karaf | before 4.4.12 | NVD |
References
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/olzy0yjw82b20w59vonfjr1x7v5yzocrvendor-advisory, mailing-list
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/28/3mailing-list, third-party-advisory
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.