CVE-2020-9546: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing
Summary
CVE-2020-9546: 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-2020-9546 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 package under scrutiny is jackson-databind, a library for converting JSON to and from Java objects. It is widely used in various applications and frameworks. This vulnerability affects versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.4. The vulnerability arises from the mishandling of the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, specifically related to org.apache.hadoop.shaded.com.zaxxer.hikari.HikariConfig (aka shaded hikari-config).
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in jackson-databind can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code by manipulating the serialized data. This can lead to remote code execution, allowing the attacker to take control of the affected system. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as CRITICAL with a CVSS score of 9.8. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502.
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
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to upgrade to the fixed version as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the jackson-databind library is vulnerable to a critical remote code execution vulnerability. To mitigate the risk, it is crucial to upgrade to version 2.9.10.4 or later. 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 library for converting JSON to and from Java objects. It is commonly used in applications and frameworks for data serialization and deserialization.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the affected system.
To fix this vulnerability, you need to upgrade jackson-databind to version 2.9.10.4 or later. Update the dependency in your project's pom.xml file and rebuild the application.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Upgrading to the fixed version is the only solution.
This vulnerability is rated as CRITICAL with a CVSS score of 9.8.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.
