CVE-2023-38264 in JDK
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
The IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition's Object Request Broker (ORB) 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.5.21 and 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.8.21 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack in some circumstances due to improper enforcement of the JEP 290 MaxRef and MaxDepth deserialization filters. IBM X-Force ID: 260578.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38264 affects the IBM SDK Java Technology Edition's Object Request Broker implementation, specifically impacting versions 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.5.21 and 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.8.21. This issue represents a significant security weakness within the Java serialization framework that could be exploited to disrupt system availability. The Object Request Broker serves as a critical component in distributed Java applications, facilitating communication between different application components across network boundaries. When improperly configured or enforced, the serialization filters can be bypassed, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's deserialization mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate enforcement of JEP 290's MaxRef and MaxDepth deserialization filters within the IBM SDK's ORB implementation. These filters are designed to prevent excessive resource consumption during object deserialization by limiting the maximum number of references and depth levels that can be processed. When these safeguards are not properly enforced, attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that cause the system to consume excessive memory and processing resources. The vulnerability manifests when the ORB processes serialized data that exceeds normal resource consumption limits, leading to resource exhaustion and ultimately resulting in denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting the stability and reliability of enterprise applications that depend on IBM SDK's ORB functionality. Systems utilizing affected versions may experience complete service unavailability, particularly when processing untrusted serialized data from external sources. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly dangerous in environments where the ORB handles data from multiple untrusted sources, as a single malicious payload could potentially bring down entire application servers. Organizations relying on these Java-based distributed systems face significant risk of operational disruption and potential financial impact due to extended downtime periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM SDK versions to ensure proper enforcement of JEP 290 deserialization filters. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of serialization activities within their systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of affected ORB components to untrusted data sources. Security teams should also consider implementing additional safeguards such as custom deserialization filter configurations and regular security assessments to identify potential bypass mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses unchecked resource consumption, and represents a specific implementation weakness in Java serialization security controls that could be addressed through proper adherence to established security frameworks and defensive programming practices.