# CVE-2023-33246: Apache RocketMQ may have remote code execution vulnerability when using update configuration function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-33246-apache-rocketmq-command-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-07-06. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-33246 · Severity: critical · CVSS 3.1 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2023-07-06

Apache RocketMQ components (NameServer, Broker, and Controller) lack proper permission verification when exposed to the network. Attackers can exploit the update configuration function or forge protocol content to execute arbitrary commands as the system user running RocketMQ.

Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache), [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-33246 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-33246 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 6 September 2023. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-33246?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 6 July 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-broker (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=5.0.0,fixed=5.1.1; org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-controller (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=5.0.0,fixed=5.1.1; org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-namesrv (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=4.0.0,fixed=4.9.6.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-33246?** Yes. org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-broker (Maven): upgrade to 5.1.1 or later; org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-controller (Maven): upgrade to 5.1.1 or later; org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-namesrv (Maven): upgrade to 4.9.6 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2023-33246 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-33246?** Check whether you run Apache RocketMQ, org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-broker (Maven), org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-controller (Maven) or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-broker (Maven): upgrade to 5.1.1 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-broker to 5.1.1 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```

- org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-controller (Maven): upgrade to 5.1.1 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-controller to 5.1.1 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```

- org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-namesrv (Maven): upgrade to 4.9.6 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.rocketmq:rocketmq-namesrv to 4.9.6 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- Apache RocketMQ <= 5.1.0, <= 4.9.5

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-33246
- GHSA-x3cq-8f32-5f63

## Timeline

- 2023-09-06: disclosed
- 2023-09-06: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2023-07-12: other: Mailing list disclosure

## Related threats

- [RocketMQ NameServer component Code Injection vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-37582-rocketmq-nameserver-component-code-injection-vulnerability)
- [Directory traversal in Apache RocketMQ](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2019-17572-directory-traversal-in-apache-rocketmq)