CVE-2020-35728: Serialization gadget exploit in jackson-databind

Summary

09/12/2021
Yes i
High
8.1

CVE-2020-35728: Serialization gadget exploit in jackson-databind. Affects com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind versions >= 2.0.0, < 2.9.10.8. Fixed in 2.9.10.8. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2020-35728 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

The jackson-databind package is a popular Java library used for serializing and deserializing JSON data. It provides functionality to convert Java objects to JSON and vice versa. This vulnerability affects versions 2.x before 2.9.10.8 of the package. The vulnerability arises due to mishandling of the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing in the library. Specifically, it affects the embedded Xalan library in org.glassfish.web/javax.servlet.jsp.jstl, which is used by com.oracle.wls.shaded.org.apache.xalan.lib.sql.JNDIConnectionPool.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the serialization process in jackson-databind and execute arbitrary code. By crafting a malicious payload, an attacker can trigger the deserialization of the payload, leading to remote code execution. This can result in various consequences, including unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.1, 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

2.9.10.8

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

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the recommended fix by upgrading to a secure version of the jackson-databind package.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in jackson-databind can be exploited to execute arbitrary code, leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise. It is crucial to upgrade to version 2.9.10.8 or later of the package to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind →

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FAQ

Jackson-databind is a Java library used for serializing and deserializing JSON data. It provides functionality to convert Java objects to JSON and vice versa.

The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the serialization process in jackson-databind. This can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise.

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to version 2.9.10.8 or later of the jackson-databind package.

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the recommended fix by upgrading to a secure version of the jackson-databind package.

The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 8.1, indicating a high severity level.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.

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

2.9.10.8

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 →

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