External risk intelligence

FasterXML Jackson Polymorphic Typing Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2019-14540

This vulnerability exists in the jackson-databind library, a ubiquitous component used by countless internet-facing web applications and APIs for processing JSON data. Because it is widely embedded within application logic that handles external user-supplied input, it is frequently reachable via public network endpoints in standard web deployments.

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

A critical vulnerability in the widely used jackson-databind library, which handles data processing, could allow attackers to remotely execute malicious code. This issue impacts numerous applications and systems that rely on this component for handling data serialization and deserialization.

  • A library flaw allows remote code execution.
  • It's critical because the library is widely used.
  • Confirm relevance and exposure of this component.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted data over the network to an application that uses a vulnerable version of the jackson-databind library. This could lead to serious consequences if the application is not properly configured.

  • Network access required.
  • Vulnerable data deserialization.
  • Remote code execution is possible.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A polymorphic typing issue in jackson-databind, when processed with a malicious payload, could lead to severe system compromise, including arbitrary code execution. This risk is present when the vulnerable component is exposed to an untrusted network and receives specially crafted input.

  • Affects server-side applications processing external data.
  • Malicious input can trigger code execution.
  • Potential for complete system takeover.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability, residing in the jackson-databind library, likely impacts applications and services that process external data. Ownership will typically fall to the teams responsible for the applications utilizing this library, such as application development, platform, or infrastructure teams. The initial step involves identifying all instances of the affected technology, assessing their exposure and business criticality, and then prioritizing remediation based on risk.

  • Application owners should manage remediation efforts.
  • Verify all deployments and exposure points.
  • Plan and coordinate risk-based fixes.

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 the jackson-databind library?

Jackson-databind is a popular Java library used by developers to convert data between Java objects and JSON formats. It acts as a bridge for web applications and services to easily process, read, and write data. Because it is essential for handling information in many software products—ranging from database management tools to enterprise business platforms—it is embedded deeply within the architecture of countless modern applications.

What does the CVE-2019-14540 weakness mean?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. It involves a flaw in how the library handles polymorphic typing, which is a feature that allows the system to process various object types. An attacker can supply specially crafted data that tricks the library into executing unauthorized actions on the host system, potentially leading to a full compromise of the application's integrity, confidentiality, or availability.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers the bug by sending a malicious JSON payload to an application that utilizes the affected jackson-databind library. The library processes this input, and due to the flaw, it incorrectly interprets the data to execute unauthorized code. Simply interacting with an application does not trigger this; the input must be crafted to exploit the specific polymorphic typing logic involved with components like HikariConfig.

Why should I care about CVE-2019-14540?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this library is a ubiquitous component used by countless internet-facing web applications and APIs for processing JSON data. Because it is frequently embedded within application logic that handles external user-supplied input, it is often reachable via public network endpoints, making it a highly relevant concern for any internet-facing system relying on this library.

What is the first step to address this issue?

The most effective first step is to identify all applications or services in your environment that rely on jackson-databind. Once identified, verify if the installed version falls within the ranges specified as affected by CVE-2019-14540. If vulnerable, prioritize updating the library to a secure, patched version. Check with your software vendors for any official updates or security advisories that provide specific remediation paths for their products.

References