CVE-2018-19360 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.8 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging failure to block the axis2-transport-jms class from polymorphic deserialization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19360 affects the FasterXML jackson-databind library version 2.x before 2.9.8, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to exploit polymorphic deserialization mechanisms. This issue stems from the library's failure to properly block the axis2-transport-jms class during the deserialization process, creating potential attack vectors that could lead to arbitrary code execution or other unspecified security impacts. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization pathway where the jackson-databind component processes incoming data streams, particularly when handling objects that utilize polymorphic typing features. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate serialized data to trigger unintended behavior during object reconstruction, bypassing standard security controls that should prevent dangerous class loading operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of Jackson's polymorphic deserialization capabilities, which are designed to handle complex object graphs during serialization and deserialization processes. When jackson-databind encounters serialized data containing polymorphic type information, it attempts to dynamically load classes based on the type hints present in the data stream. The axis2-transport-jms class, which is part of the Apache Axis2 messaging framework, becomes a dangerous entry point because it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code when loaded through the deserialization process. This particular class is significant because it contains functionality that can interact with Java Message Service protocols, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands on the target system. The vulnerability exists because the security restrictions that should prevent loading of potentially dangerous classes are insufficiently enforced during the deserialization phase, creating a gap in the library's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to perform remote code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise depending on the target environment and the specific implementation of jackson-databind. Attackers can craft malicious serialized payloads that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the loading of the axis2-transport-jms class and subsequently execute arbitrary commands on the system. This vulnerability affects numerous applications and systems that rely on jackson-databind for JSON processing, including web applications, microservices, and enterprise systems that handle JSON data from untrusted sources. The implications are particularly severe because many applications use jackson-databind extensively for API communication, making the attack surface large and potentially affecting critical business operations. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the wide range of possible consequences depending on how the vulnerability is exploited and the specific environment in which it operates.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations by upgrading to jackson-databind version 2.9.8 or later, which includes fixes for this vulnerability and properly enforces restrictions on polymorphic deserialization. The recommended approach involves configuring the ObjectMapper to disable default typing or to use a whitelist of allowed classes during deserialization processes, preventing automatic loading of dangerous classes. Security teams should also implement network-level restrictions and input validation to prevent malicious data from reaching applications that use jackson-databind. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a specific implementation weakness in how polymorphic typing is handled within the library. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and remote command execution, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistence and escalate privileges within affected systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of jackson-databind and implement proper security controls to prevent exploitation of this and similar deserialization vulnerabilities.