Infinite Recursion Vulnerability in libjettison-java: StackOverflowError Risk
Summary
CVE-2023-1436: An infinite recursion is triggered in Jettison when constructing a JSONArray from a Collection that contains a self-reference in one of its elements. Affects libjettison-java versions < a77ffc4a70e91945603f4947828cd7d4633a3cdb. No fix is published. 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
libjettison-java is a Java library designed for converting Java objects to JSON and vice versa. It is widely used in applications that require JSON serialization and deserialization. The library's functionality is crucial for developers who need to handle JSON data efficiently. However, it is susceptible to a specific vulnerability that can lead to severe runtime errors, particularly when handling collections with self-references.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-1436, arises from an infinite recursion triggered in the Jettison library when constructing a JSONArray from a Collection containing a self-reference in one of its elements. This flaw can lead to a StackOverflowError, causing the application to crash and potentially resulting in denial of service. The issue originates from the way the library processes recursive data structures without adequate safeguards, making it critical for developers to address this vulnerability to maintain application stability.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate updating is not feasible, consider avoiding the use of self-referential structures in JSON arrays. Alternatively, implement checks in your code to prevent the inclusion of self-references before passing collections to the Jettison library for JSON processing.
Conclusion
The CVE-2023-1436 vulnerability in libjettison-java poses a significant risk due to its potential to cause application crashes through infinite recursion. Developers are urged to update their libraries to the latest versions to mitigate this risk. Additionally, understanding the nature of the vulnerability and implementing workarounds can help maintain application stability until a fix is applied.
See every vulnerability recorded for libjettison-java →
FAQ
CVE-2023-1436 is a vulnerability in the libjettison-java library that causes an infinite recursion leading to a StackOverflowError when processing self-referential collections.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
The primary consequence is a potential application crash due to a StackOverflowError, which can lead to denial of service for users.
Yes, updating to version 1.5.4-1 or later for Debian 13 resolves this vulnerability.
As a temporary measure, avoid using self-referential structures in JSON arrays and implement checks to prevent such cases.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libjettison-java.
