CVE-2026-46584
Description
A flaw was found in the Apache Camel Mail Component. This vulnerability, due to improper input validation, allows a remote attacker to exploit routes that channel untrusted input into the mail producer without proper header stripping. Before version 4.19.0, this could lead to the redirection of SMTP connections to an attacker-controlled server, exposing user credentials. In later versions, the impact is limited to weakening transport security and intercepting outgoing messages, potentially leading to information disclosure.
Statement
This Moderate impact flaw in the Apache Camel Mail Component arises from improper input validation, allowing remote attackers to exploit routes that channel untrusted input into the mail producer without explicit header stripping. Depending on the Apache Camel version, this could lead to credential exposure by redirecting SMTP connections to an attacker-controlled server or, in newer versions, to the weakening of transport security and interception of outgoing messages. Exploitation is contingent on the application's routing configuration.
Mitigation
To mitigate this vulnerability, ensure that any Camel routes processing untrusted input and forwarding it to the mail producer explicitly strip the `mail.smtp.*` and `mail.smtps.*` header namespaces. This can be achieved by adding `removeHeaders('mail.smtp.*')` and `removeHeaders('mail.smtps.*')` to the route definition between the untrusted ingress and the SMTP/SMTPS producer.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.5 | N/A | 3.7 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Application Data
Integrity
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Access Control
Technical Impact: Bypass Protection Mechanism
By providing URLs to unexpected hosts or ports, attackers can make it appear that the server is sending the request, possibly bypassing access controls such as firewalls that prevent the attackers from accessing the URLs directly. The server can be used as a proxy to conduct port scanning of hosts in internal networks, use other URLs such as that can access documents on the system (using file://), or use other protocols such as gopher:// or tftp://, which may provide greater control over the contents of requests.
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