Detect Apache ActiveMQ Improper Input Validation (CVE-2026-34197) in IBM QRadar
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
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip,
destinationip,
destinationport,
sourceport,
username,
"Application" AS application,
QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name,
category,
logsourcename(logsourceid) AS log_source,
payload
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Linux OS', 'Palo Alto PA Series', 'Cisco ASA')
AND (
destinationport IN (61616, 61617, 8161, 8162, 5672, 1883, 61613)
OR sourceport IN (61616, 61617, 8161, 8162, 5672, 1883, 61613)
)
AND (
payload ILIKE '%ClassPathXmlApplicationContext%'
OR payload ILIKE '%classInfo%'
OR payload ILIKE '%cmd.exe%'
OR payload ILIKE '%powershell%'
OR payload ILIKE '%./%..%'
OR payload ILIKE '%wget%'
OR payload ILIKE '%curl%'
OR payload ILIKE '%base64%'
)
AND LOGSOURCESTARTTIME(starttime) > NOW() - 86400 SECONDS
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LAST 24 HOURSQRadar AQL query to identify suspicious payloads traversing ActiveMQ service ports that match known CVE-2026-34197 exploitation patterns including class injection strings, path traversal sequences, and shell command indicators.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate ActiveMQ applications that include class names like ClassPathXmlApplicationContext in normal Spring configuration
- Administrative tools that connect to ActiveMQ ports and log connection metadata
- Base64-encoded message payloads that are part of normal business message traffic
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.