CVE-2023-33246

CRITICAL KEV NUCLEI

Apache RocketMQ update config RCE

Title source: metasploit
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2023-33246 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added September 6, 2023. EIP tracks 15 public exploits from researchers including SuperZero, Malayke, Le1a, including a Metasploit module auxiliary/scanner/misc/rocketmq_version. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ. The exploit is executed via a Java JAR file and allows arbitrary command execution on the target system.

Description

For RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below, under certain conditions, there is a risk of remote command execution.  Several components of RocketMQ, including NameServer, Broker, and Controller, are leaked on the extranet and lack permission verification, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using the update configuration function to execute commands as the system users that RocketMQ is running as. Additionally, an attacker can achieve the same effect by forging the RocketMQ protocol content.  To prevent these attacks, users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.1.1 or above for using RocketMQ 5.x or 4.9.6 or above for using RocketMQ 4.x .

Exploits (15)

nomisec WORKING POC 112 stars
by SuperZero · poc
https://github.com/SuperZero/CVE-2023-33246

This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ. The exploit is executed via a Java JAR file and allows arbitrary command execution on the target system.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ (version not specified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target RocketMQ instance · Java runtime environment to execute the JAR
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 104 stars
by Malayke · remote
https://github.com/Malayke/CVE-2023-33246_RocketMQ_RCE_EXPLOIT

This repository contains a working exploit for CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below. The exploit leverages the update configuration function to execute arbitrary commands by crafting a malicious payload.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ <= 5.1.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ broker port (default 10911)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 82 stars
by Le1a · poc
https://github.com/Le1a/CVE-2023-33246

This repository contains a Java-based exploit for CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ. The exploit leverages a heartbeat mechanism to trigger command execution and includes a 35-second delay to ensure proper execution and configuration restoration.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ (version not specified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target RocketMQ instance on port 10911 · Java runtime environment to execute the exploit
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 62 stars
by I5N0rth · remote
https://github.com/I5N0rth/CVE-2023-33246

This PoC exploits CVE-2023-33246 in Apache RocketMQ by manipulating the `rocketmqHome` property to execute arbitrary commands via command injection. The code demonstrates updating broker configurations with malicious properties to achieve RCE.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ (versions affected by CVE-2023-33246)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Access to RocketMQ admin interface · Valid credentials for DefaultMQAdminExt
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 5 stars
by vulncheck-oss · remote
https://github.com/vulncheck-oss/fetch-broker-conf

This repository contains a Go-based scanner tool designed to fetch RocketMQ broker configurations to detect indicators of compromise related to CVE-2023-33246. It connects to a target host and port, sends a crafted RocketMQ message, and extracts the `rocketmqHome` variable from the response.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: RocketMQ broker (versions affected by CVE-2023-33246)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ broker port (default 10909 or 10911)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 3 stars
by P4x1s · poc
https://github.com/P4x1s/CVE-2023-33246

This repository contains a scanner tool for detecting CVE-2023-33246, a remote command execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ. The tool checks for the presence of the vulnerability and outputs the detected version.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target Apache RocketMQ instance
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 2 stars
by 0xKayala · poc
https://github.com/0xKayala/CVE-2023-33246

This repository contains a scanner for detecting CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below. The scanner checks for vulnerable versions by querying the RocketMQ broker component.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ <= 5.1.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ broker component
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 2 stars
by 4mazing · poc
https://github.com/4mazing/CVE-2023-33246-Copy

This repository provides a writeup and setup instructions for CVE-2023-33246, referencing another GitHub repository for the actual exploit. It includes Docker commands to set up a vulnerable environment for Apache RocketMQ.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache RocketMQ 4.9.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker environment · Apache RocketMQ 4.9.1 · rocketmq-console 2.0.0
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 1 stars
by PavilionQ · poc
https://github.com/PavilionQ/CVE-2023-33246-mitigation

This repository provides a mitigation demonstration for CVE-2023-33246 in Apache RocketMQ, focusing on enhanced validation of the `RocketmqHome` parameter. It includes a modified `BrokerConfig.java` with additional validation logic and a `Main.java` for testing purposes.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache RocketMQ 4.9.5
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to Apache RocketMQ configuration
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by MkJos · poc
https://github.com/MkJos/CVE-2023-33246_RocketMQ_RCE_EXP

This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2023-33246, a remote code execution vulnerability in RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below. The exploit leverages the update configuration function or forged RocketMQ protocol content to execute arbitrary commands.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the RocketMQ broker component on the extranet · Knowledge of the target host and port
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by d0rb · remote
https://github.com/d0rb/CVE-2023-33246

This PoC exploits CVE-2023-33246, a deserialization vulnerability in RocketMQ, by sending a crafted payload to trigger remote code execution. The payload includes an interactsh URL for DNS-based interaction verification.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Deserialization
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ (versions affected by CVE-2023-33246)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ server on port 10911 · Target must be vulnerable to CVE-2023-33246
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by shoucheng3 · poc
https://github.com/shoucheng3/apache__rocketmq_CVE-2023-33246_5-1-0

This repository contains source code and documentation for Apache RocketMQ, specifically focusing on the ACL (Access Control List) module. It does not include an exploit PoC but provides context around the vulnerability CVE-2023-33246.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache RocketMQ (version not specified in provided files)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to vulnerable RocketMQ instance
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Sumitpathania03 · remote
https://github.com/Sumitpathania03/Apache-RocketMQ-CVE-2023-33246-

This repository contains a functional PoC exploit for CVE-2023-33246, an RCE vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ. The exploit leverages the UpdateBrokerConfig function to execute arbitrary commands via crafted payloads sent to the RocketMQ broker.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ <= 5.1.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to RocketMQ broker port (default 10911) · Vulnerable RocketMQ version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit SCANNER
by h00die, Malayke · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/auxiliary/scanner/misc/rocketmq_version.rb

This Metasploit module scans for Apache RocketMQ versions by sending a version request and parsing the response. It does not exploit CVE-2023-33246 but provides version detection, which could be used for vulnerability assessment.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ service
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by Malayke, jheysel-r7, h00die · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/apache_rocketmq_update_config.rb

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2023-33246, a command injection vulnerability in Apache RocketMQ's broker component. It leverages the update configuration function to execute arbitrary commands as the system user running RocketMQ.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the RocketMQ NameServer or Broker port · Vulnerable version of Apache RocketMQ
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

RocketMQ <= 5.1.0 - Remote Code Execution
CRITICALVERIFIEDby iamnoooob,rootxharsh,pdresearch
Shodan: title:"RocketMQ" || http.title:"rocketmq-console-ng" || http.title:"rocketmq"
FOFA: protocol="rocketmq" || title="rocketmq-console-ng" || title="rocketmq"

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.9439
EPSS Percentile 100.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2023-09-06
VulnCheck KEV 2023-08-28
InTheWild.io 2023-08-28
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2023-2175
CWE
CWE-94
Status published
Products (4)
apache/rocketmq < 4.9.6
org.apache.rocketmq/rocketmq-broker 5.0.0 - 5.1.1Maven
org.apache.rocketmq/rocketmq-controller 5.0.0 - 5.1.1Maven
org.apache.rocketmq/rocketmq-namesrv 4.0.0 - 4.9.6Maven
Published May 24, 2023
KEV Added Sep 06, 2023
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026