Critical Code Execution Vulnerability in Groovy Package
Summary
CVE-2016-6814: When an application with unsupported Codehaus versions of Groovy from 1.7.0 to 2.4.3, Apache Groovy 2.4.4 to 2.4.7 on classpath uses standard Java serialization mechanisms, e.g. Affects groovy across 3 version ranges.
< 2.4.8-1
>= 716b0b1bd56eeab04e4441eecc91c2cd8bfda8b6, <= 042950dc23257bbc65cd2258f2fd2a197a98f802
>= e0407c58f79853e53e827e0eb52aaac2a39c6936, <= 1212b292c34804e3f14af2fbda5daaa85037a039
Fixed in 2.4.8-1. 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
Groovy is an agile and dynamic language for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that integrates seamlessly with existing Java classes and libraries. It is widely used for scripting, testing, and building applications. However, certain versions of Groovy, specifically from Codehaus versions 1.7.0 to 2.4.3 and Apache Groovy 2.4.4 to 2.4.7, are susceptible to a serious vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through deserialization.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-6814, arises when applications using the affected versions of Groovy employ standard Java serialization mechanisms. An attacker can create a specially crafted serialized object that, when deserialized, executes arbitrary code on the server. This poses a significant risk as it can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and complete system compromise. Applications that do not isolate the deserialization process are particularly vulnerable.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.4.8-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade groovyTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading is not immediately feasible, consider implementing strict controls around the deserialization process. This includes validating and sanitizing incoming serialized data and using alternative serialization methods that do not allow for code execution.
Conclusion
CVE-2016-6814 represents a critical vulnerability in certain versions of the Groovy package that can lead to severe security risks through code execution via deserialization. It is crucial for users to upgrade to a secure version and implement best practices for deserialization to protect their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for groovy →
FAQ
CVE-2016-6814 is a vulnerability in Groovy that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through deserialization of specially crafted objects.
The affected versions include Groovy from Codehaus versions 1.7.0 to 2.4.3 and Apache Groovy versions 2.4.4 to 2.4.7.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potentially complete control over the affected system.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
The CVSS score for CVE-2016-6814 is 9.8, indicating a critical level of severity.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for groovy.
