External risk intelligence

OpenMQ Remote File Read and RCE Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2026-24457

OpenMQ is a message queue broker typically deployed within internal application architectures or backend service tiers. While these components facilitate communication between systems and may occasionally be exposed to external networks in specific integration scenarios, they are not standard public-facing services by design.

Path Traversal

Eclipse Openmq

6.5.1 and earlier

Halo Surface Signal: 3 out of 5 — possibly public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

OpenMQ, a message queue broker used for internal application communication, has a configuration parsing vulnerability that could allow attackers to read sensitive files from its host system and potentially execute unauthorized code. This issue affects certain versions of OpenMQ and related GlassFish software.

Configuration flaw allows unauthorized file access.
Critical vulnerability could impact system integrity.
Assess relevance to our OpenMQ deployments.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted data to an exposed OpenMQ message broker. This can lead to unauthorized reading of sensitive files on the server hosting the broker, and in some cases, could even allow for remote code execution.

No authentication required for access.
Triggered by unsafe configuration parsing.
Risk of arbitrary file read and RCE.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

An unsafe parsing of OpenMQ's configuration could allow a remote attacker to read arbitrary files from a message broker's server, potentially exposing sensitive system data or leading to remote code execution under certain conditions.

Arbitrary file reads from server.
Unauthenticated network access.
Unauthorized file access or RCE.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The OpenMQ message broker is likely managed by a platform or infrastructure team, with application owners accountable for the services they build on top of it. The first practical step is to inventory all OpenMQ instances, determine their network exposure and criticality, and identify the specific teams or individuals responsible for each. This will enable a risk-based remediation plan.

Platform or infrastructure team ownership.
Verify OpenMQ instance exposure and criticality.
Plan remediation based on verified risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is OpenMQ and how is it used?

OpenMQ is an open-source message queue broker used to manage communication between distributed software components. It acts as a middleware layer, allowing different parts of an enterprise application to exchange messages reliably. It is often bundled within larger application servers, such as GlassFish, to support complex backend architectures.

Why is CVE-2026-24457 considered a security weakness?

This vulnerability involves improper path validation, specifically classified as Path Traversal (CWE-22). Because the software does not securely parse configuration files, a remote attacker can manipulate requests to access files outside the intended directory. This breaks the security boundary of the host operating system, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure or arbitrary code execution.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers the flaw by sending specially crafted data directly to the OpenMQ message broker. Because the system fails to validate this input during configuration parsing, the broker processes the malicious path as a legitimate request. Note that standard, benign message traffic intended for legitimate application logic does not trigger this vulnerability.

Is my system at risk if OpenMQ is not internet-facing?

Halo Surface Signal indicates that OpenMQ is typically deployed in internal tiers rather than as a public-facing service. While internal placement reduces the likelihood of external exploitation, systems remain vulnerable if an attacker gains access to your internal network or if the broker is inadvertently exposed through specific integration or proxy configurations.

What should I do first to manage this OpenMQ risk?

Start by performing a comprehensive inventory of all OpenMQ instances within your environment. Verify the specific version running on each server to determine if it falls under the affected range. Once identified, coordinate with the infrastructure or platform teams responsible for those systems to prioritize patching or upgrading to the versions specified in the advisory.

References

gitlab.eclipse.org/security/cve-assignment/-/issues/84

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.