External risk intelligence

FasterXML Jackson Databind Remote Code Execution via Polymorphic Deserialization

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2018-14718

Jackson-databind is a widely used Java library integrated into many enterprise web applications, APIs, and microservices. Because it is frequently employed to deserialize data arriving at public-facing web and API endpoints, it is commonly exposed to internet-sourced traffic in standard application deployment patterns.

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This CVE involves a vulnerability in a widely used Java library, jackson-databind, which could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. The issue stems from how the library handles specific class deserialization, potentially enabling unauthorized code execution if not properly mitigated.

  • A code library may allow attackers to run commands.
  • Widely used Java component impacts many applications.
  • Confirm if affected systems use this library.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted data over the network to a vulnerable application. This data triggers a flaw in the `jackson-databind` library's polymorphic deserialization process, allowing the attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code.

  • No authentication or special access needed.
  • Malicious data sent to the application.
  • Arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting how the `slf4j-ext` class is handled during data deserialization. When applications process untrusted input through affected versions of the Jackson library, it may enable attackers to compromise the system.

  • Server-side code execution is at risk.
  • Attackers send crafted data for deserialization.
  • Complete system compromise may occur.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The primary responsibility for addressing this vulnerability likely falls to application owners and platform teams who manage environments utilizing the affected Java library. The initial critical step is to conduct a comprehensive inventory of all systems and applications that incorporate this library to determine its presence and assess potential exposure. This discovery process should prioritize identifying business-critical assets and their specific owners before planning any remediation efforts.

  • Application owners should prioritize remediation.
  • Verify affected systems and their exposure.
  • Plan and coordinate necessary updates.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is FasterXML jackson-databind?

FasterXML jackson-databind is a popular Java library used by developers to convert data between Java objects and formats like JSON. It is widely embedded within enterprise software, including various Oracle products, Red Hat platforms, and NetApp tools, to handle data processing and API communications.

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2018-14718?

This is a deserialization vulnerability, classified as CWE-502. It occurs because the library does not sufficiently block certain classes, such as slf4j-ext, from being used during polymorphic deserialization. Essentially, the software can be tricked into processing untrusted data in a way that executes arbitrary code on the underlying system.

How does an attacker trigger this bug?

An attacker triggers this vulnerability by sending specifically crafted, malicious data to an application that uses an affected version of the library. If the application is configured to allow polymorphic deserialization and does not have the necessary blocklists in place, processing this data can initiate the exploit. It is not triggered by standard, benign data formats.

Is my system relevant for CVE-2018-14718?

You should care if you run applications that rely on vulnerable versions of jackson-databind, especially those with public-facing APIs. According to Halo Surface Signal, this library is frequently used in web services and APIs, meaning it is often exposed to internet-sourced traffic, which increases the likelihood of reaching an attacker-controlled input.

How do I address this CVE?

The primary response is to update the jackson-databind library to a patched version, such as 2.9.7 or later, where the problematic class handling is corrected. Because this component is often a dependency bundled within larger enterprise software, check vendor security advisories from your specific software providers to obtain and apply the official updates for your platforms.

References