Description
The Camel-PQC FileBasedKeyLifecycleManager class deserializes the contents of `<keyId>.key` files in the configured key directory using java.io.ObjectInputStream without applying any ObjectInputFilter or class-loading restrictions. The cast to `java.security.KeyPair` is evaluated only after `readObject()` has already returned, so any `readObject()` side effects in the deserialized object run before the type check. An attacker who can write to the key directory used by a Camel application — for example through a path traversal into the directory, misconfigured filesystem permissions on the volume where keys are stored, a compromised key provisioning pipeline, or a symlink attack — can place a crafted serialized Java object that, when deserialized during normal key lifecycle operations, results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the application.
This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.19.0 before 4.20.0, from 4.18.0 before 4.18.2.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.20.0, which fixes the issue by replacing java.io.ObjectInputStream-based key and metadata storage with standard PKCS#8 (private key) / X.509 SubjectPublicKeyInfo (public key) Base64 JSON encoding. For users on the 4.18.x LTS releases stream, upgrade to 4.18.2.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Apache Camel PQC | 4.19.0 – < 4.20.0, 4.18.0 – < 4.18.2 | 4.20.0 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
GitHub 1 repository
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oscerd/CVE-2026-40048 ★ 0 · Jul 8, 2026
Reproducer for CVE-2026-40048: Apache Camel camel-pqc FileBasedKeyLifecycleManager unsafe deserialization (RCE)
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maven | org.apache.camel:camel-pqc | < 4.18.2 | 4.18.2 | GHSA-v3vg-332r-mw99 |
| Maven | org.apache.camel:camel-pqc | >= 4.19.0, < 4.20.0 | 4.20.0 | GHSA-v3vg-332r-mw99 |
Advisories 2
- WID-SEC-2026-1271 Apache Camel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 19, 2026
- NCSC-2026-0129 Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Apache Camel NCSC-NL (Netherlands) · Apr 29, 2026
References
- https://camel.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-40048.html vendor-advisory