CVE-2026-50223: Apache OFBiz RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-50223 Overview

CVE-2026-50223 is a code injection vulnerability (CWE-94) in Apache OFBiz. The flaw allows a low-privileged authenticated user holding Content or DataResource editing privileges to inject template directives. Successful exploitation can escalate to Remote Code Execution (RCE) on the underlying server.

The vulnerability affects all Apache OFBiz releases prior to 24.09.07. The Apache OFBiz project has released version 24.09.07 to remediate the flaw. Administrators running affected builds should treat upgrade as a priority because authenticated template injection in OFBiz routinely provides a path to full server compromise.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker with Content/DataResource editing privileges can inject template code that executes arbitrary commands on the OFBiz host, leading to full Remote Code Execution.

Affected Products

Apache OFBiz versions before 24.09.07
Deployments exposing Content Manager or DataResource editing endpoints to authenticated users
Apache OFBiz instances where low-privileged roles include content authoring permissions

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-10 - CVE-2026-50223 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-50223

Vulnerability Analysis

Apache OFBiz is an open-source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suite that includes a Content Management subsystem. Content and DataResource records support template rendering so authors can compose dynamic pages. The rendering pipeline processes user-supplied template directives without sufficient sandboxing or input filtering.

A low-privileged authenticated user with Content or DataResource editing rights can submit template payloads containing executable directives. When OFBiz renders the stored Content or DataResource, the template engine evaluates the attacker's directives within the server process. This results in arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the OFBiz application user.

Root Cause

The root cause is Improper Control of Generation of Code, classified as CWE-94. The Content/DataResource workflow treats template fields as trusted authoring input. The application does not enforce a restricted template execution context for content authored by non-administrative users. Any directive the underlying template engine supports is therefore reachable from the content editor.

Attack Vector

An attacker first obtains valid credentials with Content or DataResource editing privileges. The attacker creates or modifies a Content or DataResource record, embedding template directives that invoke server-side runtime methods. Triggering a render of that record, either through a published URL or an internal workflow, executes the injected directives on the OFBiz server. Refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread and the Openwall OSS Security Discussion for vendor commentary.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-50223

Indicators of Compromise

Content or DataResource records containing template directives that reference runtime classes, process execution, or reflection APIs
Apache OFBiz process spawning unexpected child processes such as sh, bash, cmd.exe, or powershell.exe
Outbound network connections from the OFBiz Java process to attacker-controlled hosts shortly after content edits
Audit log entries showing low-privileged accounts editing Content or DataResource records outside normal authoring patterns

Detection Strategies

Inspect the OFBiz database tables backing Content and DataResource for template syntax tokens such as <#assign>, <#exec>, or scripting tags introduced by non-administrative accounts
Correlate Content/DataResource edit events with subsequent render requests and process creation events on the host
Alert on the Java process executing the OFBiz container launching shell interpreters or scripting hosts

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward OFBiz application logs, web access logs, and host process telemetry to a central analytics platform for joint analysis
Baseline normal content authoring activity per user and alert on outliers, including bulk edits and edits to historically static records
Monitor egress traffic from OFBiz application servers and flag connections to non-business destinations

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-50223

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 24.09.07 or later on all production, staging, and disaster recovery instances
Audit accounts that hold Content or DataResource editing privileges and revoke access that is not required
Review Content and DataResource records created or modified before patching for embedded template directives
Rotate credentials and session tokens for any account suspected of misuse during the exposure window

Patch Information

The Apache OFBiz project fixed CVE-2026-50223 in release 24.09.07. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 24.09.07, which fixes the issue. Patch details are available in the Apache Mailing List Thread and the Openwall OSS Security Discussion.

Workarounds

Restrict Content and DataResource editing permissions to a minimal set of trusted administrative users until patching completes
Place the OFBiz administrative and content management interfaces behind network controls that limit access to authorized sources
Run the OFBiz application process under a dedicated, least-privileged operating system account to limit blast radius if exploitation occurs

bash

# Configuration example: restrict access to the Content Manager paths at the reverse proxy
location ~* ^/(content|webtools)/ {
    allow 10.0.0.0/24;     # internal admin network only
    deny  all;
    proxy_pass http://ofbiz_backend;
}