CVE-2026-22244 presents a significant vulnerability in OpenMetadata, a unified metadata platform. The flaw, present in versions prior to 1.11.4, allows attackers to execute remote code through Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in FreeMarker email templates. This exploit requires administrative privileges, making it particularly concerning for organizations that may have administrative access misconfigured.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.5, indicating a high severity level. This score reflects the potential impact of an exploit, which could lead to unauthorized access and control over the affected systems. Organizations should be aware that the risk includes potential data breaches and service disruptions, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.
As of now, there are no confirmed public exploits available, but the nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may attract the attention of attackers. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate any possible exploitation.
The patch for this vulnerability is included in version 1.11.4 of OpenMetadata, which addresses the underlying issues related to SSTI. It is crucial for organizations to update to this version as part of their security best practices.
Vulnerability Details
OpenMetadata is a unified metadata platform that utilizes FreeMarker email templates. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution, which can lead to full control of affected systems. The CVSS score of 8.5 categorizes it as high severity, highlighting the urgency for organizations to address it.
The vulnerability impacts all versions prior to 1.11.4, requiring administrative privileges for exploitation. It is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')) and CWE-1336 (Improper Handling of Malicious Content).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-22244 is the improper handling of user inputs in FreeMarker email templates, which allows attackers to inject malicious code. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity for exploitation. The attacker requires high privileges and no user interaction is needed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated high, indicating potential for significant damage if exploited. Organizations should review their configurations and ensure administrative access is strictly controlled to minimize risks.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized remote access, potential data breaches, and service disruptions. Given the CVSS score of 8.5, this vulnerability poses a serious threat that should be prioritized in patch cycles.
The potential blast radius for this vulnerability is extensive, especially for organizations that utilize OpenMetadata in critical operations. Immediate action is necessary to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to 1.11.4 of OpenMetadata are affected. Organizations should ensure they update their installations to this version or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch their OpenMetadata installations to version 1.11.4 immediately to address this vulnerability. If patching is not feasible, consider implementing access controls to limit administrative privileges and monitor for unusual activity.
For detailed guidance on remediation and security best practices, organizations can refer to our penetration testing services to validate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual administrative access patterns and review FreeMarker template configurations for unauthorized changes. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal operations should be flagged for investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-22244 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with Server-Side Template Injection vulnerabilities. It highlights the need for robust input validation and strict access controls in all metadata management tools.
Security teams can learn from this incident to reinforce their defenses against similar exploitation methods. Continuous monitoring and assessment of the security posture is crucial in today's threat landscape.
For more insights into security practices, organizations can explore our penetration testing methodology and the importance of proactive security measures.
Additionally, our blog on vulnerability management programs provides detailed strategies to enhance security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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