QOS.CH logback-core is vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution through file processing
QOS.CH logback-core versions up to 1.5.18 contain an ACE vulnerability in conditional configuration file processing in Java applications. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by compromising an existing logback configuration file or by injecting a malicious environment variable before program execution.
A successful attack requires the Janino library and Spring Framework to be present on the user's class path. Additionally, the attacker must have write access to a configuration file. Alternatively, the attacker could inject a malicious environment variable pointing to a malicious configuration file. In both cases, the attack requires existing privileges.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | ch.qos.logback:logback-core | >= 1.4.0, < 1.5.19, < 1.3.16 | 1.5.19, 1.3.16 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11226
- https://github.com/qos-ch/logback/issues/974
- https://github.com/qos-ch/logback/commit/61f6a2544f36b3016e0efd434ee21f19269f1df7
- https://github.com/qos-ch/logback
- https://github.com/qos-ch/logback/releases/tag/v_1.5.19
- https://logback.qos.ch/news.html#1.3.16
- https://logback.qos.ch/news.html#1.5.19
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:P/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/SC:H/SI:L/SA:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-20- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
ch.qos.logback:logback-core- Disclosed
- 01.10.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-25qh-j22f-pwp8 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: ch.qos.logback:logback-core
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 10
- First → latest
- 06.2021 06.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 2
- Medium 3
- Low 4
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 2
- 2022: 0
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 3
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QOS.CH logback-core is vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution through file processing this entry
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