CVE-2026-29207: Apache OFBiz Template Engine Vulnerability

CVE-2026-29207 Overview

CVE-2026-29207 is a server-side template injection vulnerability in Apache OFBiz affecting versions before 24.09.06. The flaw is categorized as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine [CWE-1336]. Attackers can submit crafted template content that the FreeMarker (FTL) engine evaluates without proper neutralization. The issue is reachable over the network without authentication and can lead to disclosure or modification of limited data within the application.

Critical Impact

Network-accessible template injection in Apache OFBiz allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate FreeMarker template processing, potentially exposing or altering data handled by Data Resource records and content management workflows.

Affected Products

• Apache OFBiz versions prior to 24.09.06
• Deployments using Data Resource records with dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL"
• Sites assigning content management grants to the Ecommerce Customer security group

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-19 - CVE-2026-29207 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2026-05-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-29207

Vulnerability Analysis

Apache OFBiz processes content through a template engine that evaluates FreeMarker (FTL) directives embedded in stored records. The vulnerability stems from insufficient neutralization of special template syntax in user-controllable inputs. An attacker can submit content that the engine interprets as template instructions rather than literal data. Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, exploitation can be automated against exposed OFBiz instances. The impact is limited to partial confidentiality and integrity loss, with no direct availability impact.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper handling of template-language metacharacters within Data Resource records configured with dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL". The fixed release removes support for these FTL data resources entirely. The default Ecommerce Customer security group also previously granted content management permissions, expanding the reachable attack surface to low-privilege storefront accounts.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploited by submitting crafted FTL syntax through content management endpoints that store or render Data Resource records. When the application renders the resource, the template engine evaluates the attacker-supplied directives. Because the Ecommerce Customer group previously included content management grants, even self-registered storefront users could reach the vulnerable code path in affected deployments. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread and the OpenWall OSS Security Update for vendor-confirmed technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-29207

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of Data Resource records with dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL" containing unexpected FreeMarker directives such as <#assign>, <#import>, or ${...} expressions referencing internal objects.
• HTTP requests to OFBiz content management endpoints originating from accounts in the Ecommerce Customer security group.
• Unexplained changes to content records or template definitions in the OFBiz database.

Detection Strategies

• Audit the DataResource table for entries with dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL" and review their contents for embedded template syntax.
• Review security group assignments and identify any Ecommerce Customer members holding content management permissions.
• Inspect application logs for FreeMarker rendering errors or stack traces tied to content rendering requests.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the OFBiz content rendering subsystem and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform.
• Alert on creation or modification of DataResource records by non-administrative accounts.
• Monitor outbound network connections from the OFBiz JVM that could indicate post-exploitation activity.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-29207

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 24.09.06 or later without delay.
• Remove content management grants from the Ecommerce Customer security group on every production site.
• Inventory and remove Data Resource records that rely on dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL", since the type is no longer supported post-upgrade.

Patch Information

The Apache OFBiz project addressed CVE-2026-29207 in release 24.09.06. The patched version removes support for Data Resource records with dataTemplateTypeId = "FTL" and strips content management permissions from the default Ecommerce Customer security group. Patch details are documented in the Apache Mailing List Thread.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to OFBiz administrative and content management endpoints using firewall or reverse-proxy rules until the upgrade is applied.
• Disable self-service registration for the storefront where feasible to reduce the pool of accounts able to reach the vulnerable code path.
• Manually revoke any content management permissions held by low-privileged storefront security groups.

# Configuration example: identify FTL-typed Data Resource records prior to upgrade
psql -U ofbiz -d ofbiz -c \
  "SELECT data_resource_id, data_resource_name, data_template_type_id \
   FROM data_resource WHERE data_template_type_id = 'FTL';"