CVE-2020-1948: Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Apache Dubbo
Summary
CVE-2020-1948: Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Apache Dubbo. Affects org.apache.dubbo:dubbo versions < 2.7.7. Fixed in 2.7.7. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Dubbo is an open-source, high-performance, and lightweight Java RPC framework. It provides a distributed architecture for building scalable and efficient applications. Dubbo supports various communication protocols and provides features like load balancing, fault tolerance, and dynamic service discovery. However, versions 2.7.6 and lower of Dubbo are vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted data.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Apache Dubbo allows an attacker to send RPC requests with unrecognized service or method names along with malicious parameter payloads. When these malicious parameters are deserialized, they can execute arbitrary code on the target system. This can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, and other malicious activities. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its critical severity.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 3.3.6 as of 22 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
2.7.7
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to implement input validation and filtering on the RPC requests. This can help mitigate the risk of deserialization attacks. Additionally, consider implementing network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and block malicious requests.
Conclusion
The deserialization vulnerability in Apache Dubbo can have severe consequences, including remote code execution and privilege escalation. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version of Dubbo (2.7.7 or higher) to mitigate this vulnerability. Implementing input validation and network-level protections can provide additional security. For further support on vulnerability remediation, contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Apache Dubbo is an open-source Java RPC framework that provides a distributed architecture for building scalable and efficient applications.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to remote code execution, privilege escalation, and other malicious activities.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to Apache Dubbo version 2.7.7 or higher. Update the dependency in your project's pom.xml file and rebuild your application.
If immediate upgrade is not possible, implement input validation and filtering on RPC requests. Consider implementing network-level protections like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
For more information, refer to the Apache Dubbo documentation and the CVE-2020-1948 advisory.
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