CVE-2026-31380: Apache OFBiz EL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-31380 Overview

CVE-2026-31380 is an Expression Language (EL) Injection vulnerability in Apache OFBiz, an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in EL statements [CWE-917]. Attackers can submit crafted input that gets evaluated by the EL interpreter, leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation. The vulnerability affects all Apache OFBiz versions prior to 24.09.06. The issue is remotely exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction.

Critical Impact

Remote unauthenticated attackers can inject Expression Language statements into Apache OFBiz, resulting in limited confidentiality and integrity impact on affected ERP deployments.

Affected Products

• Apache OFBiz versions before 24.09.06
• All deployments exposing OFBiz endpoints that process EL expressions
• Enterprise ERP installations running vulnerable OFBiz releases

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-19 - CVE-2026-31380 published to NVD
• 2026-05-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-31380

Vulnerability Analysis

Apache OFBiz fails to sanitize special characters before passing user-controlled input into an Expression Language interpreter. EL is a templating syntax used to access application objects and invoke methods at runtime. When unsanitized input reaches an EL evaluation context, the interpreter executes attacker-controlled expressions as legitimate code.

This class of flaw [CWE-917] commonly results in disclosure of sensitive runtime data, bypass of business logic, or modification of application state. In OFBiz, the issue carries network attack vector with no privileges required, making it reachable by any external actor who can connect to the application interface.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input neutralization before EL evaluation. User-supplied strings containing ${} or #{} syntax pass through to the EL engine, which resolves them against the application context. The fix in version 24.09.06 addresses the input handling to prevent injected expressions from being interpreted.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends HTTP requests containing crafted EL payloads to vulnerable OFBiz endpoints. When the application processes these parameters and passes them to an EL evaluator, the embedded expression executes within the application's runtime context. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread and Openwall OSS Security Update for additional technical context.

// No verified proof-of-concept available at time of publication.
// See Apache advisory for technical details on the affected code paths.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-31380

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP request parameters containing EL syntax patterns such as ${...} or #{...} directed at OFBiz endpoints
• Unexpected outbound connections or process activity originating from OFBiz application servers
• Application log entries showing EL evaluation errors or unusual property access patterns

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web access logs for query strings and POST bodies containing EL delimiters targeting OFBiz URLs
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag EL injection patterns in requests to OFBiz controllers
• Correlate authentication-free requests with sensitive object access events in OFBiz logs

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on OFBiz request processing components to capture parameter values reaching EL evaluation
• Forward OFBiz application and access logs to a centralized SIEM for pattern-based alerting
• Establish behavioral baselines for OFBiz server processes and alert on deviations such as new child processes or unusual network egress

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-31380

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 24.09.06 or later on all production and non-production instances
• Audit OFBiz deployments to identify internet-exposed instances and restrict network access where possible
• Review application logs for prior requests containing EL injection patterns to assess potential exploitation

Patch Information

Apache has released Apache OFBiz 24.09.06, which remediates the EL injection flaw. Administrators should consult the Apache Mailing List Thread for the official advisory and upgrade instructions. Apply the upgrade through standard OFBiz deployment procedures and validate functionality in a staging environment before production rollout.

Workarounds

• Place a WAF in front of OFBiz instances and block requests containing EL delimiters in user-supplied parameters
• Restrict OFBiz administrative and application endpoints to trusted networks via firewall or reverse proxy rules
• Disable or remove unused OFBiz components and endpoints to reduce the attack surface until patching is complete

# Upgrade Apache OFBiz to the patched release
git fetch --all
git checkout release24.09
git pull
./gradlew cleanAll loadDefault
./gradlew ofbiz --version  # Verify version is 24.09.06 or later