---
id: CVE-2026-33701
title: >-
  OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation provides OpenTelemetry auto-instrumentation
  and instrumentation libraries for Java
summary: >-
  OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation provides OpenTelemetry auto-instrumentation
  and instrumentation libraries for Java. In versions prior to 2.26.1, the RMI
  instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data
  with…
severity: critical
cvss: 9.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-502
  - CWE-502
vendor: linuxfoundation
product: opentelemetry_instrumentation_for_java
affected:
  - opentelemetry_instrumentation_for_java < 2.26.1
patched:
  - opentelemetry_instrumentation_for_java 2.26.1
published: '2026-03-27'
updated: '2026-08-04'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33701'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/commit/9cf4fbaaa9e79226142b2ed42a6f6b4ac0be2197
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/releases/tag/v2.26.1
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/security/advisories/GHSA-xw7x-h9fj-p2c7
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-33701'
    label: 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2452071'
    label: 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
  - url: >-
      https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-33701.json
    label: 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c
tags:
  - nvd
  - exploit-available
epss: 0.00921
epssPercentile: 0.58837
ingestedAt: '2026-08-05T11:47:24.304Z'
exploits:
  github: 1
  githubRepos:
    - >-
      https://github.com/pl4tyz/CVE-2026-33701-Unsafe-Deserialization-in-OpenTelemetry-Java-Agent-RMI-Instrumentation
  checkedAt: '2026-09-24T07:53:02.401Z'
exploitAvailable: true
---

## Overview

OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation provides OpenTelemetry auto-instrumentation and instrumentation libraries for Java. In versions prior to 2.26.1, the RMI instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data without applying serialization filters. On JDK version 16 and earlier, 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: First, OpenTelemetry Java instrumentation is attached as a Java agent (`-javaagent`) on Java 16 or earlier. Second, JMX/RMI port has been explicitly configured via `-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port` and is network-reachable. Third, gadget-chain-compatible library is present on the classpath. This results in arbitrary remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the instrumented JVM. For JDK >= 17, no action is required, but upgrading is strongly encouraged. For JDK < 17, upgrade to version 2.26.1 or later. As a workaround, set the system property `-Dotel.instrumentation.rmi.enabled=false` to disable the RMI integration.

## Affected

- `opentelemetry_instrumentation_for_java < 2.26.1`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `opentelemetry_instrumentation_for_java 2.26.1`