CVE-2026-110812 in Amazon Neptune Engine
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2026
Deserialization of untrusted data in the Gremlin graph data import component in Amazon Neptune engine might allow an authenticated remote actor with standard database permissions to execute arbitrary code and access internal service credentials.
To remediate this issue, users not enrolled in auto-update should upgrade to Amazon Neptune engine version 1.5.0.0.(Backports to 1.4.8.x and 1.4.7.x)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a critical deserialization flaw within the Gremlin graph data import component of the Amazon Neptune database engine. This security issue stems from the system's handling of untrusted data during the ingestion process, where serialized objects are processed without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. In many modern software architectures, particularly those involving Java-based backends like Apache TinkerPop which underpins Gremlin support, deserialization is a high-risk operation if not strictly controlled. When an application accepts serialized data from an external source and converts it back into executable code objects, it creates a potential attack vector for Remote Code Execution (RCE). In this specific instance, the flaw allows an authenticated remote actor who possesses standard database permissions to exploit this mechanism. The attacker does not need administrative privileges or elevated access rights; merely having basic read/write capabilities within the Neptune cluster is sufficient to trigger the malicious deserialization sequence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. By successfully exploiting the deserialization flaw, an authenticated user can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying host system running the Amazon Neptune engine. This effectively bypasses the intended isolation boundaries between the database application layer and the operating system kernel or container environment. Beyond direct code execution, the attacker gains access to internal service credentials stored within the runtime environment. These credentials may include API keys, authentication tokens, or other sensitive configuration data that are necessary for the database service to function correctly but should not be exposed to standard users. This compromise undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege and can lead to further lateral movement within a cloud infrastructure if these credentials provide access to broader AWS resources or internal network segments.
From a technical classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes Deserialization of Untrusted Data. It also maps closely to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter execution via remote input, specifically leveraging the application's own processes to gain foothold on the system. The attack vector is classified as Remote (Network) but requires Authentication, placing it in a category often referred to as authenticated RCE. This distinction is crucial for risk assessment because while the barrier of entry is lower than unauthenticated exploits, the potential damage remains catastrophic due to the level of access granted upon successful exploitation. Security teams must recognize that standard database users are not always low-risk actors; they can serve as a pivot point for significant infrastructure compromise if such vulnerabilities exist in the underlying engine components.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required by all organizations running affected versions of Amazon Neptune. The primary remediation strategy involves upgrading the Amazon Neptune engine to version 1.5.0.0 or later. For environments that do not utilize automatic minor version updates, manual intervention is necessary to apply this patch. Additionally, AWS has provided backports for earlier maintenance branches, specifically versions 1.4.8.x and 1.4.7.x, allowing organizations with legacy dependencies to receive the security fix without upgrading to a major new release that might introduce compatibility issues or require significant application refactoring. It is imperative that database administrators verify their current engine version and schedule a maintenance window to apply these updates promptly. Until the patch is applied, strict monitoring of Gremlin query logs for anomalous patterns related to object serialization could provide an additional layer of defense-in-depth, although upgrading remains the only definitive solution to eliminate the underlying code flaw.