Critical Deserialization Vulnerability in Apache Batik: CVE-2018-8013
Summary
CVE-2018-8013: In Apache Batik 1.x before 1.10, when deserializing subclass of AbstractDocument, the class takes a string from the inputStream as the class name which then use it to call the no-arg constructor of the class. Affects batik across 2 version ranges.
< 1.10-1
>= 1b708df57205a70c2c9fb8235ff5eab837609968, < 55a7e24c4f4713efa012263e2262d40238d0c633
Fixed in 1.10-1. How to fix ↓
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
Apache Batik is a powerful toolkit for working with SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) in Java. It provides a range of features for creating, manipulating, and rendering SVG content. The toolkit is widely used in applications that require vector graphics support. However, prior to version 1.10, Batik was susceptible to a deserialization vulnerability that could allow attackers to exploit the system by manipulating class names during the deserialization process.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2018-8013 is a deserialization vulnerability found in Apache Batik versions prior to 1.10. The issue arises when the system deserializes a subclass of AbstractDocument, taking a string from the input stream as the class name. This can lead to the instantiation of arbitrary classes, potentially allowing an attacker to execute malicious code. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level, which could result in unauthorized access, data corruption, or system compromise.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.10-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade batikTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider implementing input validation to restrict the types of classes that can be deserialized. This can help mitigate the risk until a proper upgrade can be performed.
Conclusion
CVE-2018-8013 is a critical vulnerability in Apache Batik that poses significant risks to applications using the toolkit. It is essential for users to upgrade to version 1.10 or later to mitigate these risks. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities, such as through tools like Vulert, can help maintain the security of your software.
See every vulnerability recorded for batik →
FAQ
CVE-2018-8013 is a critical deserialization vulnerability in Apache Batik that allows attackers to exploit the system by manipulating class names during deserialization.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
The CVSS score of CVE-2018-8013 is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, data corruption, or complete system compromise.
To upgrade Apache Batik, update your dependency to version 1.10 or higher in your build configuration, then rebuild and test your application.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for batik.
