9.1Critical

Apache Freemarker

CVE-2026-84939

Path traversal vulnerability in Apache FreeMarker template loading mechanism, if the attacker can specify an arbitrary malformed locale identifier to FreeMarker, and the localized lookup configuration setting is enabled (it's by default enabled). This issue affects Apache FreeMarker from 2.2.0 through 2.3.34. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.3.35. Disabling localized lookup in previous versions also mitigates this. Note that even in versions affected by this vulnerability, the files that can be loaded remain restricted by the TemplateLoader that FreeMarker is configured to use. In particular, FileTemplateLoader prevents attempts to traverse outside the baseDir specified in its constructor. Other TemplateLoader implementations may allow access outside their designated base directory, but they are still constrained by the underlying storage mechanism—for example, a loader wrapping a Java class loader can only access resources that the class loader can load, while one wrapping a web application context can only access resources available through that context.

What this means for your business

  • It affects Apache Freemarker. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
  • An attacker can use it remotely, over a network, without a login, and without anyone at your company clicking anything.
  • FIRST's prediction model gives it a 0.8% chance of attack attempts being seen in the next 30 days, ranking above 55% of all known flaws.

What to do

  1. 1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Apache Freemarker, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
  2. 2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.

Fastnexa security experts

Not sure if your company is exposed to CVE-2026-84939?

Tell us where you run Apache Freemarker and a Fastnexa penetration tester will check whether this flaw, or others like it, can be used against your websites, apps and network.

The full test is free for our first 10 founding clients until 31 December 2026. See the offer

Book a 30-min callWhatsApp us

Think you’ve already been hit? Don’t wait on a form: call or WhatsApp +1 (732) 454 2616. We reply within 1 hour, 24/7. Emergency help →

Scoring

CVSS
9.1 (v3.1)
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-23
Assigned by
security@apache.org

Dates

Published
2026-09-10
Last modified
2026-09-11
Sources
NVD

Affected products

  • Apache Freemarker2.2 - 2.3.35

As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.

References