CVE-2025-27533: Apache ActiveMQ · Unchecked buffer length can cause excessive memory allocation
Affects org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacySource GCVE Database
Public exploit available (Exploit-DB) · CVSS 6.9 Medium : upgrade to 5.16.8 as a priority.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 22:52 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (apache) | CVSS 4.0 | 6.9 |
|---|
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.16.8, 5.17.7, 5.18.7 +1
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H/AU:Y/R:A/V:D/RE:M/U:RedExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 7 May 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: evidence found.
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by Apache Software Foundation
, 68 days before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
First Exploit-DB entry (opens in a new tab)
Apache ActiveMQ 6.1.6 - Denial of Service (DOS)
, 2 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-client | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.activemq:activemq-client | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ. During unmarshalling of OpenWire commands the size value of buffers was not properly validated which could lead to excessive memory allocation and be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) by depleting process memory, thereby affecting applications and services that rely on the availability of the ActiveMQ broker when not using mutual TLS connections. This issue affects Apache ActiveMQ: from 6.0.0 before 6.1.6, from 5.18.0 before 5.18.7, from 5.17.0 before 5.17.7, before 5.16.8. ActiveMQ 5.19.0 is not affected. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 6.1.6+, 5.19.0+, 5.18.7+, 5.17.7, or 5.16.8 or which fixes the issue. Existing users may implement mutual TLS to mitigate the risk on affected brokers.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-27533 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/fc4372b9f0f72b8b5eed917f0019c5cea45c5d06 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/activemq (opens in a new tab)
- issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-6596 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apache.org/thread/8hcm25vf7mchg4zbbhnlx2lc5bs705hg (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00020.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/06/1 (opens in a new tab)