CVE-2026-59278

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Remote Code Execution in Spring for Apache Kafka

Publication date: 2026-08-27

Last updated on: 2026-09-01

Assigner: VMware

Description

JsonKafkaHeaderMapper and DefaultKafkaHeaderMapper include java.net in their default trusted packages list. When these mappers are used — which is the default configuration for all @KafkaListener consumers — an external Kafka producer can inject a java.net.InetAddress type via the spring_json_header_types message header. Spring for Apache Kafka 4.1.0 Spring for Apache Kafka 4.0.0 - 4.0.6 Spring for Apache Kafka 3.0.0 - 3.3.16 Spring for Apache Kafka 2.9.0 - 2.9.14 Spring for Apache Kafka 2.8.12 and earlier

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published

2026-08-27

Last Modified

2026-09-01

Generated

2026-09-16

AI Q&A

2026-08-27

EPSS Evaluated

2026-09-15

NVD

CVE-2026-59278

EUVD

EUVD-2026-66850

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
vmware	spring_for_apache_kafka	to 2.8.13 (exc)
vmware	spring_for_apache_kafka	From 2.9.0 (inc) to 2.9.15 (exc)
vmware	spring_for_apache_kafka	From 3.0.0 (inc) to 3.3.17 (exc)
vmware	spring_for_apache_kafka	From 4.0.0 (inc) to 4.0.6.1 (exc)
vmware	spring_for_apache_kafka	From 4.1.0 (inc) to 4.1.0.1 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-918	The web server receives a URL or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this URL, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Spring for Apache Kafka. The JsonKafkaHeaderMapper and DefaultKafkaHeaderMapper include java.net in their default trusted packages. An external Kafka producer can inject a java.net.InetAddress type via the spring_json_header_types message header. When Jackson deserializes InetAddress, it triggers DNS resolution through InetAddress.getByName(), enabling SSRF in the default configuration.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability can be detected by checking if your Spring for Apache Kafka version is within the affected range (2.8.12-4.1.0). Review Kafka listener configurations for @KafkaListener consumers using default JsonKafkaHeaderMapper or DefaultKafkaHeaderMapper.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to force the application to make unauthorized network requests, potentially accessing internal systems or exfiltrating data. This could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or further network compromise depending on the application's environment.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data access or exfiltration, violating GDPR's data protection principles or HIPAA's security requirements. Organizations may face compliance violations, fines, or legal consequences if exploited.

Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade to a fixed version of Spring for Apache Kafka: 4.1.1 (OSS), 4.1.0.1 (Enterprise), 4.0.7 (OSS), 4.0.6.1 (Enterprise), 3.3.17 (Enterprise), 2.9.15 (Enterprise), or 2.8.13 (Enterprise). No additional mitigation steps are required after upgrading.

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