CVE-2018-5968 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE
FasterXML jackson-databind through 2.8.11 and 2.9.x through 2.9.3 allows unauthenticated remote code execution because of an incomplete fix for the CVE-2017-7525 and CVE-2017-17485 deserialization flaws. This is exploitable via two different gadgets that bypass a blacklist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-5968 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in FasterXML jackson-databind library versions prior to 2.8.11 and 2.9.3. This issue stems from an incomplete remediation of previously discovered deserialization vulnerabilities including CVE-2017-7525 and CVE-2017-17485, creating a persistent security gap that attackers can exploit without authentication. The vulnerability exists within the object deserialization mechanism of the jackson-databind library, which is widely used across enterprise applications for processing json data, making this flaw particularly dangerous due to its widespread adoption. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through crafted malicious input that bypasses existing security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on Java deserialization attacks that leverage specific gadget chains to achieve remote code execution. Attackers can construct malicious JSON payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable jackson-databind library, trigger the deserialization process and execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The exploitation bypasses existing blacklist protections by utilizing different gadget chains that were not addressed in the initial patch for CVE-2017-7525 and CVE-2017-17485. This demonstrates a common pattern in security remediation where incomplete fixes leave systems vulnerable to similar attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the library handles deserialization of objects from external input, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code that executes within the context of the running application.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5968 is severe and far-reaching, potentially affecting thousands of applications that depend on jackson-databind for data processing. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the library face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require valid credentials to perform the attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where applications are exposed to untrusted input sources. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain persistent access to systems. The impact extends beyond immediate exploitation to include potential lateral movement within networks and data exfiltration.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to jackson-databind versions 2.8.11 or 2.9.4 and later to remediate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing proper input validation and sanitization, restricting network access to applications using jackson-databind, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-502 in the CWE database, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical weakness that enables arbitrary code execution through deserialization attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected versions of the library and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated libraries to ensure compatibility with existing applications while maintaining security posture against this and similar deserialization vulnerabilities.