CVE-2022-0138 in Mimosa
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2022
MMP: All versions prior to v1.0.3, PTP C-series: Device versions prior to v2.8.6.1, and PTMP C-series and A5x: Device versions prior to v2.5.4.1 has a deserialization function that does not validate or check the data, allowing arbitrary classes to be created.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical deserialization flaw that affects multiple device series including MMP products prior to v1.0.3, PTP C-series devices before v2.8.6.1, and PTMP C-series and A5x devices before v2.5.4.1. The core issue lies in the improper handling of serialized data within these network devices, where the deserialization process fails to validate incoming data payloads before attempting to reconstruct objects from them. This fundamental flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially crafted serialized data that, when processed by the vulnerable devices, will instantiate arbitrary Java classes or objects. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a primary attack vector. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for network infrastructure devices since it allows remote code execution capabilities through the manipulation of serialized data streams. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of proper input validation during the deserialization process within the affected device firmware. When these devices receive serialized data through network communications, they attempt to reconstruct objects without performing adequate security checks on the data integrity or class types being deserialized. This behavior creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious serialized data that can trigger the instantiation of dangerous classes within the device's runtime environment. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, where attackers exploit weaknesses in application processing of data to gain system access. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, modify device configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
Organizations operating these vulnerable devices face substantial risk exposure given that the flaw exists in network infrastructure components that are typically not patched regularly or monitored for security issues. The nature of the vulnerability means that any device receiving network traffic with maliciously crafted serialized data could be compromised, creating a potential attack surface that extends across multiple network segments. The lack of data validation during deserialization creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including network-based attacks, man-in-the-middle scenarios, or even social engineering tactics that might lead to the delivery of malicious serialized payloads. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader assessment of network infrastructure security, particularly when evaluating the attack surface of industrial control systems and network equipment. The remediation approach requires immediate firmware updates to versions that implement proper input validation and data sanitization during deserialization processes, along with network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.