CVE-2018-8027: XXE Injection in Apache Camel Core

An attacker exploiting CVE-2018-8027 can leverage XXE injection to read local files on the server hosting the Apache Camel application. This includes configuration files, source code, and potentially sensitive data like database credentials or API keys. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the system. The XXE injection occurs within the XSD validation processor, allowing an attacker to craft malicious XML input that triggers the vulnerability. This is similar to other XXE vulnerabilities where attackers can bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The blast radius extends to any data accessible by the Camel application's process.

1. Published2018-10-16
2. Modified2024-03-11
3. EPSS updated2026-04-02

The primary mitigation for CVE-2018-8027 is to upgrade Apache Camel Core to version 2.20.4 or later. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization to prevent malicious XML from being processed. Specifically, disable external entity resolution in the XSD validation processor. WAF rules can be configured to block requests containing suspicious XML payloads. Monitor Camel logs for unusual activity or attempts to access files outside of the expected scope. After upgrading, confirm the fix by attempting to trigger the XXE vulnerability with a known malicious XML payload and verifying that it is blocked.