# CVE-2026-53405: Apache Syncope remote code execution via BPMN Groovy scripts

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-53405-apache-syncope-remote-code-execution-via-bpmn-groovy-scripts  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-20. Updated: 2026-07-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-53405 · Severity: info · CVSS 0 · Published 2026-07-20

Apache Syncope, an open-source system for managing digital identities, contains a security flaw that allows authorized administrators to execute unauthorized code on the server. By importing and starting a specially crafted business process (BPMN) definition, an attacker can run arbitrary scripts directly on the underlying system. This could lead to a complete takeover of the server, data theft, or disruption of identity management services.

Technologies: [Apache Software Foundation Syncope](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/syncope). Vendors: [Apache Software Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache-software-foundation).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-53405 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-53405 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-53405?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 0, published 20 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Software Foundation Syncope 3.0.0-M0 through 3.0.16, 4.0.0-M0 through 4.0.6, 4.1.0-M0 through 4.1.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-53405?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-53405 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-53405?** Check whether you run Apache Software Foundation Syncope 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.

## Technical details

An improper isolation vulnerability exists in Apache Syncope's integration with the Flowable BPMN engine. An administrator with sufficient entitlements can use the REST API to import a BPMN process definition that includes a 'scriptTask' containing Groovy code. Because these scripts are executed directly on the server without a security sandbox, an attacker can achieve remote code execution (RCE) in the context of the Syncope application. The issue is resolved in versions 4.0.7 and 4.1.2 by implementing a security sandbox for Flowable's Groovy scriptTasks.

## Affected products

- Apache Syncope 3.0.0-M0 through 3.0.16, 4.0.0-M0 through 4.0.6, 4.1.0-M0 through 4.1.1

## Timeline

- 2026-07-20: advisory
- 2026-07-20: disclosed

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread/vdq0tk6ylffz6trbgbllj9kb1ndzff7k](https://lists.apache.org/thread/vdq0tk6ylffz6trbgbllj9kb1ndzff7k)

## Related threats

- [Apache Syncope SSRF in Connectors and Resources check](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62418-apache-syncope-ssrf-in-connectors-and-resources-check)
- [Apache Syncope information disclosure via malicious JEXL expression](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42797-apache-syncope-information-disclosure-via-malicious-jexl)
- [Apache Syncope sandbox escape via Groovy static initializer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42782-apache-syncope-sandbox-escape-via-groovy-static-initializer)