CVE-2013-4271 in Restlet
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of the ObjectRepresentation class in Restlet before 2.1.4 deserializes objects from untrusted sources, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via a serialized object, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-4221.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4271 represents a critical deserialization flaw within the Restlet framework's ObjectRepresentation class prior to version 2.1.4. This issue stems from the framework's default configuration that permits automatic deserialization of objects from untrusted sources without adequate validation or sanitization measures. The flaw exists in the core object handling mechanisms of the RESTful web services framework, where serialized Java objects are processed and converted into executable code within the application runtime environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent dangers of Java serialization mechanisms, particularly when combined with the Restlet framework's object representation handling. When the ObjectRepresentation class processes incoming serialized data, it automatically attempts to deserialize the object without proper security controls or input validation. This creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable Restlet application, execute arbitrary Java code on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests containing specially crafted serialized object payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4271 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to server resources, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries do not require local access or authentication to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations running affected Restlet versions face significant risk exposure, especially those implementing RESTful services that process external data inputs without proper security boundaries.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insecure deserialization, which aligns with CWE-502 and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059.1005 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic). The recommended mitigations include immediate patching to Restlet version 2.1.4 or later, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all deserialization operations, and configuring the framework to disable automatic deserialization of untrusted content. Additional protective measures involve network segmentation, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in web frameworks and the necessity of validating all external inputs, particularly when dealing with object serialization and deserialization processes.