Apache Syncope 3.x-4.1.x Improper Isolation: Unrestricted Groovy Script Exec
CVE-2026-53405 Published on July 20, 2026
Apache Syncope: Remote Code Execution via Flowable BPMN Groovy ScriptTask
Improper Isolation or Compartmentalization vulnerability in Apache Syncope.
An administrator with adequate entitlements can import arbitrary BPMN process definitions via the REST API and then start the process. When a BPMN process containing a Groovy scriptTask is imported and started, the Groovy script is executed directly on the server, with no sandbox.
This issue affects Apache Syncope: from 3.0.0-M0 through 3.0.16, from 4.0.0-M0 Through 4.0.6, from 4.1.0-M0 through 4.1.1.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.0.7 / 4.1.2, which fix this issue by wrapping Flowable's Groovy scriptTasks with security sandbox.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-53405 can be exploited with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be critical as this vulnerability has a high impact to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of this component.
Weakness Type
What is a Separation of Privilege Vulnerability?
The product does not sufficiently compartmentalize functionality or processes that require different privilege levels, rights, or permissions. When a weakness occurs in functionality that is accessible by lower-privileged users, then without strong boundaries, an attack might extend the scope of the damage to higher-privileged users.
CVE-2026-53405 has been classified to as a Separation of Privilege vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-53405
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Affected Versions
Apache Software Foundation Apache Syncope:- Version 3.0.0-M0, <= 3.0.16 is affected.
- Version 4.0.0-M0, <= 4.0.6 is affected.
- Version 4.1.0-M0, <= 4.1.1 is affected.
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.