APM Java Agent Local Privilege Escalation
Description
A local privilege escalation issue was found with the APM Java agent, where a user on the system could attach a malicious plugin to an application running the APM Java agent. By using this vulnerability, an attacker could execute code at a potentially higher level of permissions than their user typically has access to.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Local privilege escalation in Elastic APM Java agent allows a user to attach a malicious plugin and execute code with higher permissions.
Vulnerability
Description A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Elastic APM Java agent, where a user on the system can attach a malicious plugin to an application running the agent. This allows the attacker to execute code at a potentially higher level of permissions than their user typically has access to [1][4].
Exploitation
An attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by attaching a malicious plugin to an application that uses the APM Java agent. The attack complexity is high, but no user interaction is required, and the scope remains unchanged [4].
Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The attacker can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining control over the affected system [4].
Mitigation
Elastic has released version 1.27.1 of the APM Java agent, which addresses this issue. Users are advised to update to 1.27.1 or newer, or use the unaffected -javaagent-based installation method. The vulnerability affects versions 1.18.0 through 1.27.0 [4].
AI Insight generated on May 20, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
co.elastic.apm:apm-agent-parentMaven | >= 1.18.0, < 1.27.1 | 1.27.1 |
co.elastic.apm:elastic-apm-agentMaven | >= 1.18.0, < 1.27.1 | 1.27.1 |
Affected products
3- ghsa-coords2 versions
>= 1.18.0, < 1.27.1+ 1 more
- (no CPE)range: >= 1.18.0, < 1.27.1
- (no CPE)range: >= 1.18.0, < 1.27.1
- Range: 1.18.0
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
4News mentions
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