CVE-2020-36183 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2021
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.8 mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, related to org.docx4j.org.apache.xalan.lib.sql.JNDIConnectionPool.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2026
The vulnerability in FasterXML jackson-databind version 2.x before 2.9.10.8 represents a critical security flaw that exploits the interaction between serialization gadgets and type handling mechanisms within the library. This issue specifically targets the org.docx4j.org.apache.xalan.lib.sql.JNDIConnectionPool class which serves as a bridge between deserialization processes and remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability arises from inadequate type validation during object deserialization, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can trigger unintended behavior when processed by the jackson-databind library.
The technical flaw stems from how jackson-databind handles type information during serialization and deserialization operations. When the library encounters objects with specific type annotations or class references, it attempts to resolve these types dynamically. The interaction with JNDIConnectionPool creates a pathway where attacker-controlled data can influence the resolution process, leading to potential remote code execution through Java's deserialization mechanism. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502 as Deserialization of Untrusted Data, which is a well-known attack vector that has been extensively documented in security literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and affects organizations using affected versions of jackson-databind in their applications. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious JSON payloads that contain serialized objects with specific type information pointing to vulnerable classes. When these payloads are processed by applications using the vulnerable library, they can trigger remote code execution on the target system. The attack surface is particularly broad since jackson-databind is widely used across enterprise applications, web services, and microservices architectures making this vulnerability highly impactful.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on upgrading to jackson-databind version 2.9.10.8 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the type handling issues related to serialization gadgets. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from reaching deserialization points within their applications. Additional defensive measures include disabling the use of certain deserialization features such as default typing when possible, implementing proper access controls around deserialization endpoints, and monitoring for unusual deserialization activity. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how serialization flaws can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution in enterprise environments. Security teams should also consider implementing application firewalls and runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and block suspicious deserialization patterns to prevent exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges associated with Java deserialization security and the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies in enterprise software stacks. Organizations must establish robust dependency management practices and regularly audit their software components to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.