CVE-2026-35086: Apache OFBiz RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-35086 Overview

CVE-2026-35086 is a code injection vulnerability [CWE-94] affecting the email services component of Apache OFBiz. The flaw stems from improper control of code generation within the email subsystem, allowing remote attackers to influence executed code paths over the network without authentication. Apache OFBiz versions prior to 24.09.06 are affected. The Apache OFBiz project has released version 24.09.06 to address the issue.

Critical Impact

Network-accessible attackers can trigger code injection through the email services component, leading to limited confidentiality and integrity impact across affected Apache OFBiz deployments.

Affected Products

• Apache OFBiz versions before 24.09.06
• Apache OFBiz email services component
• Deployments exposing OFBiz email functionality to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-19 - CVE-2026-35086 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2026-05-19 - Vendor advisory published on the Apache mailing list
• 2026-05-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-35086

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the email services of Apache OFBiz, an open source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Apache classifies the flaw under Common Weakness Enumeration [CWE-94], Improper Control of Generation of Code. An attacker can submit crafted input that the email services component incorporates into generated code, altering the intended execution flow.

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation yields limited impact on confidentiality and integrity, with no direct availability impact. The component's exposure depends on deployment configuration, including whether email services are reachable from untrusted networks.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient validation and neutralization of input that flows into a code generation or evaluation routine inside the email services module. When attacker-supplied data reaches the code generation context, the application treats portions of that input as executable logic rather than inert data. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Discussion for vendor-confirmed technical details.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker reaches the email services endpoint over the network and submits crafted parameters. The application processes those parameters through the affected code generation path, executing attacker-influenced logic within the OFBiz process context. See the OpenWall OSS Security Update for additional disclosure context.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at the time of publication. The vulnerability mechanism is described in vendor references; consult those advisories rather than synthetic exploit samples.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-35086

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected outbound network connections originating from the Apache OFBiz Java process following requests to email service endpoints
• Anomalous child processes spawned by the OFBiz application server
• Email service request logs containing scripting syntax, template directives, or expression language tokens in user-controlled fields
• New or modified files in OFBiz working directories that do not correspond to scheduled deployments

Detection Strategies

• Inventory all Apache OFBiz instances and confirm the running version against 24.09.06
• Inspect web server and application logs for requests targeting email-related controllers and services with unusual payloads
• Apply web application firewall rules that flag template syntax, scripting constructs, or expression language sequences submitted to OFBiz email endpoints
• Correlate authentication events, request patterns, and process activity on OFBiz hosts to identify unauthenticated abuse

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward OFBiz access logs, application logs, and host process telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation
• Alert on Java process executions that launch shells, scripting interpreters, or network utilities
• Track file integrity on OFBiz configuration, plugin, and data directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-35086

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 24.09.06 or later, which the vendor identifies as the fixed release
• Restrict network access to OFBiz email service endpoints so they are reachable only from trusted segments
• Review recent logs for the email services component to identify any pre-patch exploitation attempts
• Rotate credentials, API keys, and secrets accessible to the OFBiz service account if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Apache OFBiz version 24.09.06 resolves CVE-2026-35086. Administrators should follow the upgrade guidance in the Apache Mailing List Discussion and validate the deployment after upgrade. The fix is the vendor-recommended remediation path.

Workarounds

• Block external network access to OFBiz email service URLs at the perimeter or reverse proxy until the patch is deployed
• Disable unused email service endpoints in OFBiz configuration where business processes permit
• Place OFBiz behind a web application firewall with rules that strip or reject template and scripting syntax in request parameters

# Configuration example: restrict access to OFBiz email service paths at an Nginx reverse proxy
location ~* /webtools/control/.*[Ee]mail.* {
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;
    deny all;
}