CVE-2018-14719 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.7 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging failure to block the blaze-ds-opt and blaze-ds-core classes from polymorphic deserialization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14719 affects the FasterXML jackson-databind library version 2.x prior to 2.9.7, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that exploits improper handling of polymorphic deserialization. This issue specifically targets the failure to block the blaze-ds-opt and blaze-ds-core classes during the deserialization process, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical flaw resides in the library's deserialization mechanism where it fails to properly restrict the types that can be instantiated during object reconstruction from serialized data. When jackson-databind processes incoming data, it attempts to deserialize objects and automatically handles polymorphic types. However, the library's configuration does not adequately prevent deserialization of classes from the blaze-ds-opt and blaze-ds-core packages, which contain malicious payloads that can be triggered during the deserialization process.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-502 weakness category, specifically addressing dangerous deserialization patterns where untrusted data is processed without proper validation. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable jackson-databind library, will execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The attack vector requires remote access to a system that uses the vulnerable library and processes untrusted input through the deserialization mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments that utilize the jackson-databind library for data processing. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain full system compromise, execute arbitrary code, and potentially establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects any application that uses the vulnerable version of jackson-databind to process external data, including web applications, microservices, and backend systems that deserialize user-provided input.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through several approaches aligned with established security frameworks and best practices. The primary remediation involves upgrading to jackson-databind version 2.9.7 or later, which includes proper restrictions on the polymorphic deserialization process. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, configuring the library to disable deserialization of untrusted classes, and employing security measures such as the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for deserialization attacks can significantly reduce risk exposure. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious deserialization patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.