CVE-2020-36181: Unsafe Deserialization in jackson-databind
Summary
CVE-2020-36181: Unsafe Deserialization in jackson-databind. Affects com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind across 2 version ranges.
>= 2.0.0, < 2.6.7.5
>= 2.7.0, < 2.9.10.8
Fixed in 2.6.7.5 or 2.9.10.8, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- jackson-databind · Debian:11
The same CVE-2020-36181 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 library is a popular Java library used for serializing and deserializing JSON data. It provides functionality to convert JSON data to Java objects and vice versa. This vulnerability affects versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.8. The vulnerability arises from mishandling the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, specifically related to org.apache.tomcat.dbcp.dbcp.cpdsadapter.DriverAdapterCPDS.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in jackson-databind allows for unsafe deserialization, which can lead to remote code execution attacks. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious serialized object that, when deserialized by a vulnerable application, can execute arbitrary code. This can result in unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS score of 8.1.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.22.4 as of 23 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 2.0.0, < 2.6.7.52.6.7.5 -
>= 2.7.0, < 2.9.10.82.9.10.8
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to the fixed version is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to disable deserialization of untrusted data. This can be achieved by configuring the jackson-databind library to use a custom deserialization whitelist or by implementing input validation and sanitization to ensure only trusted data is deserialized.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in jackson-databind can lead to remote code execution attacks and other malicious activities. It is crucial to upgrade to the fixed version or apply workarounds to mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind →
FAQ
Jackson-databind is a Java library used for serializing and deserializing JSON data. It provides functionality to convert JSON data to Java objects and vice versa.
The vulnerability allows for remote code execution attacks, which can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to jackson-databind version 2.9.10.8 or later. Update the dependency in your project's pom.xml file and rebuild your application.
If upgrading immediately is not possible, you can disable deserialization of untrusted data or implement input validation and sanitization to mitigate the risk.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the CVE-2020-36181 advisory and the GitHub advisory database.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.
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