CVE-2026-22816
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Gradle's dependency resolution allows an attacker to serve malicious artifacts if they can register a domain name matching an unresolvable hostname in a build configuration. It affects Gradle builds using versions before 9.3.0 that have multiple repositories configured, with the vulnerable repository listed before others. Build engineers and developers using Gradle for dependency management are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Gradle
📦 What is this software?
Gradle by Gradle
Gradle by Gradle
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker registers a domain matching an unresolvable hostname, serves malicious dependencies that get executed during build or runtime, leading to supply chain compromise, code execution, or data exfiltration.
Likely Case
Accidental domain typos or expired registrations could be exploited by opportunistic attackers to serve malicious packages, potentially compromising build pipelines or development environments.
If Mitigated
With proper repository ordering and domain management, the attack surface is reduced, but the fundamental vulnerability remains until patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires specific conditions: attacker must register matching domain, and vulnerable repository must be listed before others. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 9.3.0
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/gradle/gradle/security/advisories/GHSA-w78c-w6vf-rw82
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Gradle wrapper properties to use gradle-9.3.0 or later. 2. Run './gradlew wrapper --gradle-version 9.3.0'. 3. Verify build works with new version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Reorder repositories
allPlace trusted repositories (like Maven Central) before any custom or potentially unreliable repositories in build configuration
In build.gradle or build.gradle.kts, ensure repositories are ordered with most trusted first
Validate repository URLs
allRegularly check that all repository hostnames in build configurations are valid and properly registered
Use DNS validation tools or scripts to verify repository domains
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Audit all repository configurations and ensure trusted repositories are listed first
- Implement network controls to restrict outbound connections to only approved repository domains
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Gradle version with './gradlew --version' or examine gradle-wrapper.properties for distributionUrl containing version below 9.3.0Check Version:
./gradlew --version | grep 'Gradle'Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Gradle version is 9.3.0 or higher using './gradlew --version'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Gradle build logs showing 'Could not resolve' errors followed by successful resolution from different repository
- Unexpected repository domains being accessed during builds
Network Indicators:
- DNS queries for suspicious or newly registered domains matching repository hostnames
- Downloads from unexpected repository domains
SIEM Query:
source="gradle-build.log" AND ("Could not resolve" OR "Repository resolution failed") AND "successfully resolved"