---
title: "GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f: splunk-otel-javaagent: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to Remote Code Execution"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/ghsa/GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f/
description: "GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f (critical, Maven): splunk-otel-javaagent: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to Remote Code Execution. In versions…"
type: advisory
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-03-26
date_modified: 2026-03-26
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
ghsa: "GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f"
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f: splunk-otel-javaagent: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to Remote Code Execution

## Affected packages

- Maven `com.splunk:splunk-otel-javaagent` < 2.26.1 → fixed: 2.26.1

## Details

In versions prior to 2.26.1, the RMI instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data without applying serialization filters. 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: 1. Splunk Distribution of OpenTelemetry Java is attached as a Java agent (-javaagent) 2. An RMI endpoint is network-reachable (e.g. JMX remote port, an RMI registry, or any application-exported RMI service) 3. A gadget-chain-compatible library is present on the classpath Impact Arbitrary remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the instrumented JVM. Recommendation Upgrade to version 2.26.1 or later. Workarounds Set the following system property to disable the RMI integration: References Advisory in OpenTelemetry Instrumentation for Java

## Sources

- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f)
- [github.com](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-java-instrumentation/security/advisories/GHSA-xw7x-h9fj-p2c7)
- [github.com](https://github.com/signalfx/splunk-otel-java/security/advisories/GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/ghsa/GHSA-h8w2-rv57-vc6f/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt