CVE-2026-88789: Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus Xml External Entity Rated CVSS 8.6
A newly published high vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus carries a CVSS score of 8.6. Here is what is affected and how to respond.
Key points
- CVE-2026-88789 affects Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus.
- CVSS 8.6 (High).
- No exploitation confirmed yet.
Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus is affected by CVE-2026-88789, a XML external entity that the National Vulnerability Database rates 8.6 out of 10.
At a glance
- CVE
- CVE-2026-88789
- Product
- Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus
- CVSS
- 8.6 High
- Weakness
- XML external entity
- Exploited
- No known exploitation
What is the vulnerability?
The NVD entry states: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in the XSLT support extension (camel-quarkus-support-xalan) in Apache Camel Quarkus from 3.2.0 before 3.33.3 and from 3.34.0 before 3.40.0 on all platforms allows an attacker who supplies the XML document being transformed to read local files or issue requests to internal network locations via an external entity declaration in that document.
The extension supplies its own Xalan-backed TransformerFactory to the xslt component and registers it as the JAXP default. Xalan-J 2.7.x predates JAXP 1.5 and does not honour javax.xml.XMLConstants.ACCESS_EXTERNAL_DTD or ACCESS_EXTERNAL_STYLESHEET, so the external access restrictions Apache Camel applies to the TransformerFactory it creates were not in effect. On the xslt component path this affects message bodies that reach the transformer already as a javax.xml.transform.Source; bodies of other
Affected versions
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Apache Camel Quarkus | before 3.33.3, before 3.40.0 |
CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N.
Is it being exploited?
There is no public confirmation of exploitation at the time of publication. It does not appear in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. We will update this report if that changes.
What should you do?
- Identify whether the affected product and versions run in your environment.
- Apply the vendor update listed in the advisory as soon as it is available.
- Limit network exposure of the affected service until it is patched.
- Monitor the vendor advisory for updated guidance or exploitation reports.
What to do and how to stay safe: CVE-2026-88789
- Patch scores alone ignore context like network exposure and asset criticality.
- You must map vulnerabilities to specific business risks to prioritize correctly.
- Continuous exposure data replaces static scanning for accurate prioritization.
Prioritize vulnerabilities by actual exploitability and business impact, not by theoretical severity scores. Update your asset context and exposure data continuously to maintain accurate risk rankings.
Step-by-step guide: Risk Based Vulnerability Management: Prioritize Fixes by Actual Threat
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2026-88789?
CVE-2026-88789 is a XML external entity vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache Camel Quarkus.
How severe is CVE-2026-88789?
It has a CVSS score of 8.6 High.
Is CVE-2026-88789 being exploited?
There is no public confirmation of exploitation at the time of publication.
