Improper Input Validation in Apache Camel

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-46587 is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability in the Apache Camel camel-couchbase component. It involves certain HTTP headers (CCB_KEY, CCB_ID, CCB_TTL, CCB_DDN, CCB_VN) that are not prefixed with 'Camel' and thus bypass the default HttpHeaderFilterStrategy. This allows untrusted HTTP input to override critical Couchbase operation parameters such as document keys, IDs, TTL, design document names, or view names.

The flaw exists in Apache Camel versions from 4.0.0 up to 4.14.7, 4.15.0 up to 4.18.2, and 4.19.0 up to 4.20.0. The issue is fixed in versions 4.14.8, 4.18.3, and 4.21.0 by renaming these headers to include the 'Camel' prefix so they are properly filtered.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves non-Camel-prefixed Exchange headers (CCB_KEY, CCB_ID, CCB_TTL, CCB_DDN, CCB_VN) being sent in HTTP requests that bypass filtering and affect Couchbase operations.

To detect this vulnerability on your network or system, you can monitor HTTP traffic for the presence of these specific headers in requests to Apache Camel endpoints using the camel-couchbase component.

• Use network packet capture tools like tcpdump or Wireshark to filter HTTP requests containing headers: CCB_KEY, CCB_ID, CCB_TTL, CCB_DDN, or CCB_VN.
• Example tcpdump command to capture HTTP headers: tcpdump -A -s 0 'tcp port 80 and (((ip[2:2] - ((ip[0]&0xf)<<2)) - ((tcp[12]&0xf0)>>2)) != 0)' | grep -i 'CCB_'
• If you have access to Apache Camel logs or can enable request logging, search for these headers in incoming HTTP requests.
• Use curl or similar tools to test your endpoints by sending HTTP requests with these headers and observe if they are accepted or filtered.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow an attacker to send untrusted HTTP requests that override important Couchbase operation parameters. If an HTTP entry point is exposed without authentication, this could lead to unauthorized data access or manipulation.

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Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows untrusted HTTP input to override critical Couchbase operation parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation if an HTTP entry point is exposed without authentication.

Such unauthorized access or manipulation of data could impact compliance with data protection standards and regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which require strict controls over data access and integrity.

Mitigating this vulnerability by upgrading to fixed versions or implementing proper header filtering helps maintain compliance by preventing unauthorized data operations.

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Mitigation Strategies

The primary recommended mitigation is to upgrade Apache Camel to a fixed version: 4.14.8, 4.18.3, or 4.21.0, where the headers are renamed with a Camel prefix and properly filtered.

If upgrading immediately is not possible, temporary mitigations include:

• Strip the vulnerable non-Camel-prefixed headers (CCB_KEY, CCB_ID, CCB_TTL, CCB_DDN, CCB_VN) from untrusted HTTP requests before they reach the camel-couchbase component.
• Implement a custom HeaderFilterStrategy in Apache Camel to block or filter these headers.
• Ensure that any HTTP entry points exposing the camel-couchbase component are protected by authentication to prevent unauthorized access.

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