CVE-2016-15057: Continuum Apache Continuum Vulnerable To Command Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-77p9-w6pj-rmvg
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CVSS 9.9
CWE-77
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-15057 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.9) apache continuum vulnerable to command vulnerability (CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')) affecting Continuum libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache continuum vulnerable to command injection through installations rest api. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-15057 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-15057
GHSA Identifier GHSA-77p9-w6pj-rmvg
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.9
CWE Classification CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Affected Product Continuum
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2016-15057

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Continuum dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.continuum:continuum fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.continuum</groupId>
    <artifactId>continuum</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.continuum

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2016-15057, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.continuum

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Continuum in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.continuum command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Continuum, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

***UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED*** Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability in Apache Continuum. This issue affects Apache Continuum: all versions. Attackers with access to the Installations REST API can use this to invoke arbitrary commands on the server. As this project is retired, we do not plan to release a version that fixes this issue. Users are recommended to find an alternative or restrict access to the instance to trusted users. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.

CVE-2016-15057 Affected Continuum Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.continuum:continuum
maven/org.apache.continuum/continuum
Maven
≤ 1.4.2

References

NVD — CVE-2016-15057 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-15057
Continuum Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/continuum
lists.apache.org/thread/hbvf1ztqw2kv... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/hbvf1ztqw2kv51khvzm5nk3mml3nm4z1
Continuum Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/26/1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-15057?
CVE-2016-15057 is a security vulnerability in Continuum involving Apache Continuum vulnerable to Command Injection through Installations REST API under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection').
Which Continuum versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: org.apache.continuum:continuum.
What version fixes CVE-2016-15057?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is continuum affected?
Yes, org.apache.continuum:continuum is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-15057?
CVE-2016-15057 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.9 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-15057?
CVE-2016-15057 is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2016-15057?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.continuum'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-77p9-w6pj-rmvg",
  "modified" : "2026-01-26T23:45:16Z",
  "published" : "2026-01-26T12:30:29Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-15057" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Continuum vulnerable to Command Injection through Installations REST API",
  "details" : "***UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED*** \n\nImproper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability in Apache Continuum.\n\nThis issue affects Apache Continuum: all versions.\n\nAttackers with access to the Installations REST API can use this to invoke arbitrary commands on the server.\n\nAs this project is retired, we do not plan to release a version that fixes this issue. Users are recommended to find an alternative or restrict access to the instance to trusted users.\n\nNOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.continuum:continuum"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "1.4.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-15057"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/continuum"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/hbvf1ztqw2kv51khvzm5nk3mml3nm4z1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/26/1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-77" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-01-26T23:45:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-01-26T12:15:46Z"
  }
}