CVE-2026-49097 camel vulnerability
Improper Input Validation, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') vulnerability in Apache Camel IRC component. The camel-irc producer chooses the destination of an outgoing IRC message from the irc.sendTo Exchange header (the constant IrcConstants.IRC_SEND_TO, value irc.sendTo); when that header is present it overrides the channel list configured on the endpoint, and the message is sent only to the specified destination. This and the component's other control headers (irc.target, irc.messageType, irc.user.*, irc.num, irc.value) used plain, non-Camel-prefixed values. Because these names do not start with the Camel / camel prefix, HttpHeaderFilterStrategy - which blocks only the Camel header namespace on the HTTP boundary - let them pass from an inbound HTTP request straight into the Exchange. In a route that bridges an HTTP consumer (for example platform-http) into an irc: producer, any HTTP client could therefore set the irc.sendTo header and redirect a message that the route intended for a configured channel to an arbitrary IRC channel or user - exfiltrating the message content to an attacker-chosen nickname, leaking it into a public channel, or delivering messages that appear to come from the bot. No credentials are required when the bridging consumer is unauthenticated. This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.0.0 before 4.14.8, from 4.15.0 before 4.18.3, from 4.19.0 before 4.21.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.21.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.14.x LTS releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.14.8. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.3. After upgrading, routes that set IRC headers via the raw header names must use the CamelIrc* names (for example CamelIrcSendTo) instead of the old irc.* values. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, strip the irc.* headers from any untrusted ingress before the irc: producer (for example removeHeaders('irc.*') at the start of the route), and set the IRC destination from a trusted source.
Quick answer
apache camel should be reviewed and updated if it matches the affected versions. The recommended fix is to apply the vendor-supported patched version or the mitigation steps below, then retest the public website with Fixnx.
Who is affected
Affected versions
- Review vendor advisory for affected versions.
Fixed versions
- Apply the latest vendor-supported patched version.
How to fix it
CVE-2026-49097 affects Apache Camel IRC. Upgrade Apache Camel on the deployed branch to a fixed release (4.14.8, 4.18.3, 4.21.0) and review routes that expose this component to external or user-controlled messages. Affected ranges in the local NVD record are 4.0.0 through before 4.14.8; 4.15.0 through before 4.18.3; 4.19.0 through before 4.21.0.
- Inventory every service, integration route, container image, and build manifest that includes Apache Camel IRC or transitive Camel modules related to IRC.
- Compare each deployed Camel version with the affected ranges for CVE-2026-49097; treat 4.0.x-4.14.7, 4.15.x-4.18.2, and 4.19.x-4.20.x as needing an upgrade when the component is present.
- Upgrade to the fixed Camel release for the active branch: 4.14.8, 4.18.3, 4.21.0, or a later vendor-supported release.
- Rebuild application artifacts and container images from a clean dependency lockfile so no vulnerable Camel module remains through transitive dependencies.
- Harden exposed routes by filtering user-controlled Camel headers and component-specific control headers before data reaches Camel producers or internal route logic.
- Rotate credentials or integration tokens if logs, routing headers, backend endpoints, or message contents may have been exposed or redirected through the vulnerable route.
- Deploy first to staging, run regression tests for the impacted route, then promote to production with monitoring for routing errors, authorization failures, SSRF attempts, and unexpected message destinations.
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Verify the fix
- Confirm dependency output shows Apache Camel 4.14.8, 4.18.3, 4.21.0 or a later fixed release in every affected application.
- Run route-level tests that replay malicious or unexpected headers and verify they are removed, ignored, or rejected before reaching Camel internals.
- Check application logs after deployment for exceptions, leaked stack traces, SSRF indicators, unauthorized backend operations, or unexpected route destinations.
- Open the generated Fixnx page and confirm the canonical URL ends with camel-cve-2026-49097.
- Re-run sitemap validation and confirm camel-cve-2026-49097 appears once in sitemap.xml with the full CVE-2026-49097 suffix.
Related categories
Trusted references
FAQ
What is affected by CVE-2026-49097?
apache camel should be checked against the vendor advisory and trusted references linked on this page.
What should I fix first?
Start with internet-facing sites, admin panels, login flows, plugins, themes, modules, packages, and systems that process user-controlled input or sensitive data.
How do I confirm the fix worked?
Apply the patched version or mitigation, clear caches where relevant, retest the affected workflow, and run a new Fixnx scan to verify public website exposure signals.
How are Fixnx security risk categories chosen?
Fixnx keeps one canonical risk page and assigns only broad, relevant categories such as ecosystem, technology area, or vulnerability class.