CVE-2020-14062 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.5 mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, related to com.sun.org.apache.xalan.internal.lib.sql.JNDIConnectionPool (aka xalan2).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14062 represents a critical security flaw in the FasterXML jackson-databind library, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.9.10.5. This issue stems from improper handling of serialization gadgets within the library's type management system, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically involves the interaction between serialization components and type handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted data is processed through JSON serialization frameworks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way jackson-databind manages type information during serialization processes. When the library encounters certain data structures, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the type information, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can exploit the interaction between serialization gadgets and the type system. The vulnerability specifically targets the com.sun.org.apache.xalan.internal.lib.sql.JNDIConnectionPool component, commonly referred to as xalan2, which serves as a crucial bridge between the serialization process and potential remote code execution capabilities. This component's integration with jackson-databind's type handling creates a pathway for attackers to leverage deserialization vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14062 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments that utilize jackson-databind for JSON processing. Organizations using vulnerable versions face significant risk of remote code execution attacks, where malicious actors can inject arbitrary code into applications that process untrusted JSON data. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications, microservices, and any system that relies on JSON serialization for data exchange, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over affected systems. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted JSON payloads that exploit the type handling flaw to execute malicious code on the target system.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of all affected jackson-databind installations to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended solution involves upgrading to version 2.9.10.5 or later, which includes fixes specifically designed to address the type handling and serialization gadget interaction issues. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation, sandboxing of deserialization processes, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving deserialization attacks and remote code execution, while CWE-502 specifically categorizes this as a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution through improper type handling.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation potential to include long-term security posture concerns. Systems that fail to patch this vulnerability remain susceptible to advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their infrastructure to identify all systems using vulnerable jackson-databind versions, implementing network segmentation and application-level firewalls as additional protective measures. Regular security testing and penetration testing should include validation of deserialization security controls to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the application stack.