Detect Apache ActiveMQ Improper Input Validation (CVE-2026-34197) in CrowdStrike LogScale
Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-34197, an improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20/CWE-94) in Apache ActiveMQ that has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Successful exploitation may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or inject malicious content via crafted messages or broker connections. ActiveMQ's OpenWire protocol and web console are common attack surfaces for this class of vulnerability.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution Persistence
LogScale Detection Query
#event_simpleName IN ("NetworkConnectIP4", "NetworkConnectIP6", "ProcessRollup2", "SyntheticProcessRollup2")
| eval activemq_port=if(RemotePort IN ("61616", "61617", "8161", "8162", "5672", "1883", "61613") OR LocalPort IN ("61616", "61617", "8161", "8162", "5672", "1883", "61613"), true(), false())
| eval suspicious_child=if(match(ParentBaseFileName, "(?i)java|activemq") AND match(FileName, "(?i)cmd\.exe|powershell\.exe|bash|sh|wget|curl|nc|ncat|python"), true(), false())
| eval payload_ioc=if(match(CommandLine, "(?i)ClassPathXmlApplicationContext|classInfo|ExceptionResponse|base64|/tmp/|%TEMP%"), true(), false())
| where activemq_port=true() OR suspicious_child=true() OR payload_ioc=true()
| eval attack_signal=case(suspicious_child=true() AND (activemq_port=true() OR payload_ioc=true()), "high_confidence_exploit", suspicious_child=true(), "suspicious_child_process", payload_ioc=true(), "malicious_payload", activemq_port=true(), "port_probe", true(), "unknown")
| stats count() AS event_count, values(RemoteIP) AS remote_ips, values(CommandLine) AS commands, values(attack_signal) AS signals BY ComputerName, UserName, ParentBaseFileName, FileName
| where event_count >= 1
| sort -event_countCrowdStrike Falcon LogScale query detecting CVE-2026-34197 exploitation through network connections to ActiveMQ service ports, suspicious child process spawning from Java/ActiveMQ parent processes, and malicious payload indicators in command-line arguments.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Authorized ActiveMQ management operations that use Java utilities or shell scripts
- Red team or authorized penetration testing activities targeting ActiveMQ infrastructure
- Legitimate application middleware spawning scripts from Java-based ActiveMQ consumers
- Monitoring agents that use curl or wget to poll the ActiveMQ REST API for health status
Other platforms for CVE-2026-34197
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1ActiveMQ OpenWire Port Probe with Malicious Payload Pattern
Expected signal: Network connection event to port 61616 from non-standard source; payload content containing 'ClassPathXmlApplicationContext' visible in network capture or IDS alerts
- Test 2Simulated Post-Exploitation Shell Spawn from Java Process
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 or Linux audit execve showing bash/sh spawned with parent process containing 'java' in the image path; process command line containing 'id', 'hostname', or 'whoami'
- Test 3ActiveMQ Web Console Access with Path Traversal Attempt
Expected signal: HTTP access log entries on port 8161 containing '../' path sequences and 'ClassPathXmlApplicationContext' in request body or destination parameter; network connection events to port 8161 from unexpected source
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-34197 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.