CVE-2020-10968: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing
Summary
CVE-2020-10968: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing. Affects com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind versions >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.10.4. Fixed in 2.9.10.4. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- jackson-databind · Debian:11
The same CVE-2020-10968 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The jackson-databind package is a part of the FasterXML Jackson library, which provides functionality for data binding (conversion) between Java Objects and JSON. It is widely used in Java applications for JSON serialization and deserialization. This vulnerability affects versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.4.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in jackson-databind arises from mishandling the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing. Specifically, the issue is related to the org.aoju.bus.proxy.provider.remoting.RmiProvider class (also known as bus-proxy). This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, leading to potential unauthorized access, data manipulation, or denial of service.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.22.4 as of 23 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
2.9.10.4
This is the first release that contains the fix.
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can disable the use of the RmiProvider class in your application if it is not required. This can be done by configuring the Jackson ObjectMapper to exclude the RmiProvider class during serialization and deserialization. Here is an example of how to configure the ObjectMapper in Java:
ObjectMapper objectMapper = new ObjectMapper();
objectMapper.deactivateDefaultTyping();
objectMapper.addMixIn(Object.class, RmiProviderMixin.class);
Conclusion
In conclusion, the jackson-databind package prior to version 2.9.10.4 is vulnerable to remote code execution due to mishandling of serialization gadgets and typing. It is crucial to upgrade to the fixed version or apply the recommended workaround to mitigate the risk. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind →
FAQ
This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or denial of service.
Versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.4 are affected by this vulnerability.
At the time of this advisory, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability.
The recommended mitigation is to upgrade to jackson-databind version 2.9.10.4 or later. Additionally, disabling the use of the RmiProvider class can serve as a temporary workaround.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the GitHub Advisory Database: https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2020/05/GHSA-rf6r-2c4q-2vwg/GHSA-rf6r-2c4q-2vwg.json
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.
