CVE-2020-10969: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing
Summary
CVE-2020-10969: 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-2020-10969 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 between Java objects and JSON. It is widely used in Java applications for serialization and deserialization tasks. This vulnerability affects versions 2.x before 2.9.10.4 of jackson-databind. The package is vulnerable to mishandling the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, specifically related to the javax.swing.JEditorPane class.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of serialization gadgets and typing in jackson-databind. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious payload that, when deserialized, triggers the execution of arbitrary code. This can lead to remote code execution, allowing the attacker to take control of the affected system. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level.
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, developers can disable the deserialization feature in jackson-databind to mitigate the risk of exploitation. This can be achieved by configuring the library to ignore deserialization requests or by implementing custom deserialization logic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the jackson-databind package is vulnerable to a remote code execution vulnerability due to mishandling of serialization gadgets and typing. It is crucial to update to version 2.9.10.4 or later to mitigate the risk. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind →
FAQ
jackson-databind is a component of the FasterXML Jackson library, used for data binding between Java objects and JSON.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the affected system.
To fix this vulnerability, update jackson-databind to version 2.9.10.4 or later in your project's dependencies.
As a temporary workaround, you can disable deserialization in jackson-databind or implement custom deserialization logic.
Yes, the CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.
