CVE-2026-91012
Received Received - Intake

Path Traversal in Apache Karaf Configuration

Publication date: 2026-09-29

Last updated on: 2026-09-29

Assigner: Apache Software Foundation

Description
org.apache.karaf.config.core.impl.ConfigRepositoryImpl#update(pid, properties), which backs the "config" MBean and the config:* shell commands, derives the file it writes a configuration to from caller-supplied input without checking that the result stays inside ${karaf.etc}: * if the submitted property map contains a felix.fileinstall.filename entry, that value is turned directly into a File (getCfgFileFromProperty), so it can point to any absolute path the Karaf process can write to; * otherwise the configuration PID is concatenated verbatim into the target file name (generateConfigFilename(): new File(karaf.etc, pid + ".cfg")), so a PID containing ".." segments resolves outside ${karaf.etc}. createFactoryConfiguration() has the same issue via the factory PID/alias. Both code paths are reachable by any caller holding the "manager" role under Karaf's shipped command/JMX ACL (org.apache.karaf.command.acl.conf.cfg: "update = manager"). Such a user can therefore write attacker-controlled content to any file the Karaf process can write, including files the same ACL otherwise reserves to "admin" (etc/users.properties, etc/*.acl.*.cfg, etc/org.apache.karaf.management.cfg, and similar), allowing a manager-role user to grant themselves the admin role or otherwise take over the container. ConfigMBeanImpl.install() and the config:install shell command already guarded the equivalent risk on their own code path with a finalname.contains("..") string check, but that check does not stop absolute paths or symlink-based escapes, and it was never applied to ConfigRepositoryImpl.update() / createFactoryConfiguration() at all.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-29
Last Modified
2026-09-29
Generated
2026-09-29
AI Q&A
2026-09-29
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-91012
EUVD
EUVD-2026-88660

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
apache karaf *

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in Apache Karaf allows a user with the 'manager' role to write files outside the intended directory (${karaf.etc}) by manipulating configuration paths. The issue occurs in ConfigRepositoryImpl#update() and createFactoryConfiguration(), where user-supplied input is used to determine the target file without proper validation. Attackers can exploit this to overwrite critical system files, such as those controlling user permissions or access control lists.

Detection Guidance

Check Karaf configuration files for unauthorized modifications, especially in ${karaf.etc} directory. Look for unexpected files or changes in files like etc/users.properties, etc/*.acl.*.cfg, or etc/org.apache.karaf.management.cfg. Review command and JMX ACL logs for suspicious config:* or config:install shell commands executed by manager-role users.

Impact Analysis

If you are a user with the 'manager' role in Apache Karaf, an attacker could exploit this to gain elevated privileges. They could overwrite system files like etc/users.properties to grant themselves 'admin' role access, or modify configuration files to alter application behavior. This could lead to full container takeover or unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or modification of sensitive data, violating confidentiality and integrity requirements in GDPR and HIPAA. If exploited, it may result in data breaches, unauthorized data exposure, or tampering with protected health information, leading to non-compliance with these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade to a patched version of Apache Karaf if available. Restrict manager-role user permissions to prevent unauthorized config updates. Monitor and audit config file changes in ${karaf.etc} directory. Apply file system permissions to limit write access to sensitive files.

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