CVE-2026-33701: OpenTelemetry Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2026-33701 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data) affecting OpenTelemetry libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves unsafe deserialization in rmi instrumentation may lead to remote code execution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.26.1.
CVE-2026-33701 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.8
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2026-33701
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected OpenTelemetry dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>io.opentelemetry.javaagent</groupId>
<artifactId>opentelemetry-javaagent</artifactId>
<version>2.26.1</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.opentelemetry.javaagentHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2026-33701, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.opentelemetry.javaagentAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of OpenTelemetry in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.26.1), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.opentelemetry.javaagent 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-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, where the product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid. In OpenTelemetry, 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
CVE-2026-33701 Affected OpenTelemetry Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
io.opentelemetry.javaagent:opentelemetry-javaagent
|
Maven |
< 2.26.1
|
2.26.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-33701?
Which OpenTelemetry versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-33701?
Is opentelemetry-javaagent affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-33701?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-33701?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2026-33701?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-xw7x-h9fj-p2c7",
"modified" : "2026-07-29T15:43:41Z",
"published" : "2026-03-25T21:27:43Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-33701" ],
"summary" : "OpenTelemetry: Unsafe Deserialization in RMI Instrumentation may Lead to Remote Code Execution",
"details" : "In versions prior to 2.26.1, the RMI instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data without applying serialization filters. An attacker with network access to a JMX or RMI port on an instrumented JVM could exploit this to potentially achieve remote code execution. All three of the following conditions must be true to exploit this vulnerability:\n1. OpenTelemetry Java instrumentation is attached as a Java agent (`-javaagent`)\n2. An RMI endpoint is network-reachable (e.g. JMX remote port, an RMI registry, or any application-exported RMI service)\n3. A gadget-chain-compatible library is present on the classpath\n\n### Impact\nArbitrary remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the instrumented JVM.\n\n### Recommendation\nUpgrade to version 2.26.1 or later.\n\n### Workarounds\nSet the following system property to disable the RMI integration:\n\n```\n-Dotel.instrumentation.rmi.enabled=false\n```\n\n### Credits\nThis vulnerability was responsibly disclosed in coordination with Datadog.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "io.opentelemetry.javaagent:opentelemetry-javaagent"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.26.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/security/advisories/GHSA-xw7x-h9fj-p2c7"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33701"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/commit/9cf4fbaaa9e79226142b2ed42a6f6b4ac0be2197"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-33701"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2452071"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/releases/tag/v2.26.1"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-33701.json"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-502" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-25T21:27:43Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-27T01:16:19Z"
}
}