CVE-2021-20190 in Commerce Guided Search
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2021
A flaw was found in jackson-databind before 2.9.10.7. FasterXML mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-20190 represents a critical security flaw within the Jackson Databind library, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.9.10.7. This issue resides in the core serialization framework that powers numerous enterprise applications and web services across the industry. The flaw manifests when the library processes serialized data containing specific gadget chains that exploit the interaction between serialization mechanisms and type handling capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Jackson Databind serves as a fundamental component in Java-based systems, making this flaw potentially widespread across organizations that rely on JSON processing functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Jackson Databind manages type information during serialization operations. When processing maliciously crafted input data, the library fails to properly validate or sanitize the type metadata that accompanies serialized objects. This mismanagement creates opportunities for attackers to construct payload sequences that can trigger unintended code execution within the target system. The vulnerability specifically targets the library's handling of deserialization processes where type information is used to determine how objects should be reconstructed, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully crafted serialized data structures. This flaw operates at the intersection of several security principles and can be categorized under CWE-502 as Deserialization of Untrusted Data, with potential implications for CWE-78 and CWE-94 based on execution contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-20190 extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system compromise and data integrity violations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and system disruption. The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it an attractive target for automated attacks and exploit kits. Organizations running applications that utilize Jackson Databind for processing external JSON data are at risk, including web applications, microservices, and backend systems that handle user input or external API responses. The vulnerability's potential to affect system availability through denial-of-service scenarios further compounds the security implications, as attackers could disrupt services while simultaneously compromising data confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-20190 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Jackson Databind 2.9.10.7 or later releases. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where the vulnerable library is in use. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation and sanitization protocols, configuring application firewalls to monitor for suspicious deserialization patterns, and employing runtime application self-protection solutions. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous deserialization activities and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this vulnerability type. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.007 for remote code execution and T1566 for initial access through application vulnerabilities, making it a critical component in the attack chain for adversaries targeting enterprise environments.