CVE-2025-27636: Apache Camel Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-27636 Overview

Bypass/Injection vulnerability in Apache Camel components under particular conditions. This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.10.0 through <= 4.10.1, from 4.8.0 through <= 4.8.4, from 3.10.0 through <= 3.22.3.

Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate headers to alter application behavior, potentially redirecting messages or invoking unintended methods.

Affected Products

Apache Camel 4.10.x
Apache Camel 4.8.x
Apache Camel 3.x

Discovery Timeline

Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Apache
Not Available - CVE CVE-2025-27636 assigned
Not Available - Apache releases security patch
2025-03-09 - CVE CVE-2025-27636 published to NVD
2025-06-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27636

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability arises from a bug in Apache Camel's default header filtering mechanism, allowing injection of headers that manipulate application logic.

Root Cause

The root cause is the insufficient filtering of headers by the default mechanism, which fails to block headers not starting with 'Camel', 'camel', or 'org.apache.camel'.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability can be exploited over the network by injecting malicious headers into HTTP requests directed at Camel applications.

java

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
String[] maliciousHeaders = {"evilHeader":"maliciousValue"};
Exchange exchange = new DefaultExchange(camelContext);
exchange.getIn().setHeaders(maliciousHeaders);
producerTemplate.send("direct:start", exchange);

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27636

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected method invocation logs
Message redirection to incorrect queues
Unusual HTTP header entries

Detection Strategies

Implement monitoring of inbound headers for unauthorized or unexpected values in applications using Apache Camel.

Monitoring Recommendations

Use network traffic analysis and logging of HTTP headers to detect anomalies in header patterns or destinations that fit the exploit profile.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27636

Immediate Actions Required

Update to Apache Camel 4.10.2 for 4.10.x LTS
Update to Apache Camel 4.8.5 for 4.8.x LTS
Update to Apache Camel 3.22.4 for 3.x releases

Patch Information

Refer to Apache's advisory for patch downloads here: Apache Camel Security Advisory

Workarounds

Adjust your Camel routes to remove headers using the removeHeaders EIP.

bash

# Configuration example
from("direct:start")
    .removeHeaders("cAmel*", "cAMEL*")
    .to("bean:myBeanMethod");