CVE-2023-54344: Eclipse Equinox OSGi RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2023-54344 Overview

CVE-2023-54344 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Eclipse Equinox OSGi version 3.7.2 and earlier. The flaw resides in the OSGi console interface, which accepts commands without authentication when exposed over the network. Unauthenticated attackers can connect directly to the console port and execute arbitrary operating system commands. Exploitation involves sending base64-encoded bash commands wrapped in fork directives to spawn processes and establish reverse shells. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-306]: Missing Authentication for Critical Function.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated network attackers can achieve full remote code execution on hosts running affected Eclipse Equinox OSGi versions, leading to complete system compromise.

Affected Products

• Eclipse Equinox OSGi 3.7.2
• Eclipse Equinox OSGi versions earlier than 3.7.2
• Applications and platforms embedding vulnerable Eclipse Equinox OSGi runtimes

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-05 - CVE-2023-54344 published to NVD
• 2026-05-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-54344

Vulnerability Analysis

Eclipse Equinox is the reference implementation of the OSGi R4 core framework specification. It provides a runtime for modular Java applications and ships an administrative console for managing bundles and services. When the console is bound to a network port, the framework does not require authentication for command submission. Any client that can reach the console port inherits full administrative control over the OSGi runtime, including the ability to invoke shell commands through the underlying Java process.

Public exploitation details are available in Exploit-DB #51879 and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing authentication on the OSGi console listener. The console exposes privileged commands such as fork, which executes arbitrary processes on the host. Because no credential check or access control exists on the listening socket, any reachable attacker is treated as a trusted administrator.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker connects to the OSGi console TCP port, then submits a fork command containing a base64-encoded bash payload. The Java runtime decodes and executes the payload through bash -c, returning a reverse shell to the attacker's listener. From that shell the attacker operates with the privileges of the OSGi process.

No verified proof-of-concept code is reproduced here. Refer to the linked Exploit-DB entry for the full exploitation sequence.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-54344

Indicators of Compromise

• Inbound TCP connections to OSGi console ports from untrusted source addresses, particularly outside maintenance windows.
• Java processes spawning bash, sh, or /bin/sh child processes with base64-decoded command lines.
• Outbound TCP connections from the Java/Equinox process to unexpected hosts, consistent with reverse shell behavior.
• Console session logs containing fork directives followed by long base64 strings.

Detection Strategies

• Hunt for parent-child process chains where java invokes shell interpreters with -c and base64 input.
• Alert on any network listener bound to known Equinox console ports that is reachable from non-management networks.
• Correlate process creation events with outbound socket connections to identify reverse shell patterns originating from Equinox.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward host process telemetry and network flow data into a centralized analytics platform for behavioral correlation.
• Monitor Java application logs for unexpected osgi> console activity and bundle lifecycle changes.
• Track egress traffic from servers running Equinox and baseline normal destinations to surface anomalies.

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-54344

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all hosts running Eclipse Equinox OSGi 3.7.2 or earlier and inventory embedded usages within Java applications.
• Disable the OSGi console or unbind it from network interfaces, limiting access to the local loopback interface only.
• Restrict access to any required console port using host firewalls and network ACLs that allow only authorized administrative sources.
• Upgrade Eclipse Equinox to a supported version that addresses the missing authentication on console commands.

Patch Information

No specific vendor patch URL is listed in the available CVE data. Operators should upgrade Eclipse Equinox to a current supported release and consult the VulnCheck Advisory for fixed-version guidance. Embedded products bundling Equinox should be updated through their vendor's release channel.

Workarounds

• Run Equinox with the console disabled in production deployments by removing -console and -console <port> launch arguments.
• If remote console access is required, tunnel it over SSH rather than exposing the raw TCP listener.
• Operate the Java process under a low-privilege service account to limit the blast radius of any successful command execution.
• Place affected hosts behind segmentation controls so the console port is unreachable from user and internet-facing networks.

# Configuration example: launch Equinox without a network console
java -jar org.eclipse.osgi_<version>.jar -noExit

# If a console is required, bind it only to localhost
java -jar org.eclipse.osgi_<version>.jar -console 127.0.0.1:1337