CVE-2019-16942: Jackson databind Polymorphic Typing Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-mx7p-6679-8g3q
Share
CVSS 9.8
CWE-502
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2019-16942 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) polymorphic typing vulnerability (CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data) affecting Jackson databind libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves polymorphic typing in fasterxml jackson-databind. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.9.10.1, 2.8.11.5, 2.6.7.3.

CVE-2019-16942 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2019-16942
GHSA Identifier GHSA-mx7p-6679-8g3q
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.8
CWE Classification CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Affected Product Jackson databind
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2019-16942

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Jackson databind dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind fixed: 2.9.10.1 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.core</groupId>
    <artifactId>jackson-databind</artifactId>
    <version>2.9.10.1</version>
</dependency>
com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind fixed: 2.8.11.5 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.core</groupId>
    <artifactId>jackson-databind</artifactId>
    <version>2.8.11.5</version>
</dependency>
com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind fixed: 2.6.7.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.core</groupId>
    <artifactId>jackson-databind</artifactId>
    <version>2.6.7.3</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.fasterxml.jackson.core

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2019-16942, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.fasterxml.jackson.core

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Jackson databind in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.9.10.1), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.fasterxml.jackson.core command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, where the product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid. In Jackson databind, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

A Polymorphic Typing issue was discovered in FasterXML jackson-databind 2.0.0 through 2.9.10. When Default Typing is enabled (either globally or for a specific property) for an externally exposed JSON endpoint and the service has the commons-dbcp (1.4) jar in the classpath, and an attacker can find an RMI service endpoint to access, it is possible to make the service execute a malicious payload. This issue exists because of org.apache.commons.dbcp.datasources.SharedPoolDataSource and org.apache.commons.dbcp.datasources.PerUserPoolDataSource mishandling.

CVE-2019-16942 Affected Jackson databind Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.9.10.12.8.11.52.6.7.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind
maven/com.fasterxml.jackson.core/jackson-databind
Maven
≥ 2.9.0
< 2.9.10.1
2.9.10.1
com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind
maven/com.fasterxml.jackson.core/jackson-databind
Maven
≥ 2.7.0
< 2.8.11.5
2.8.11.5
com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind
maven/com.fasterxml.jackson.core/jackson-databind
Maven
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.6.7.3
2.6.7.3

References

NVD — CVE-2019-16942 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-16942
Jackson databind Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/issues/2478
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/commit/328a0f833daf6baa443ac3b37c818a0204714b0b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/commit/54aa38d87dcffa5ccc23e64922e9536c82c1b9c8
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/commit/9593e16cf5a3d289a9c584f7123639655de9ddac
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/commit/bc67eb11a7cf57561f861ff16f879f1fceb5779f
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf1bbc0... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf1bbc0ea4a9f014cf94df9a12a6477d24a27f52741dbc87f2fd52ff2@%3Cissues.geode.apache.org%3E
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00001.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/Q7CANA7KV53JROZDX5Z5P26UG5VN2K43
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TH5VFUN4P7CCIP7KSEXYA5MUTFCUDUJT
medium.com/@cowtowncoder/on-ja... WEB
https://medium.com/@cowtowncoder/on-jackson-cves-dont-panic-here-is-what-you-need-to-know-54cd0d6e8062
seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/oct/6 WEB
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Oct/6
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191017-0006
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4542
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html
Jackson databind Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.html
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1b1038... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1b103833cb5bc8466e24ff0ecc5e75b45a705334ab6a444e64e840a0@%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/f9bc3e5... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/f9bc3e55f4e28d1dcd1a69aae6d53e609a758e34d2869b4d798e13cc@%3Cissues.drill.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/b2e23c9... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b2e23c94f9dfef53e04c492e5d02e5c75201734be7adc73a49ef2370@%3Cissues.geode.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/b0656d3... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/b0656d359c7d40ec9f39c8cc61bca66802ef9a2a12ee199f5b0c1442@%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/a430dbc... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a430dbc9be874c41314cc69e697384567a9a24025e819d9485547954@%3Cissues.geode.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/7782a93... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7782a937c9259a58337ee36b2961f00e2d744feafc13084e176d0df5@%3Cissues.geode.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/519eb0f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/519eb0fd45642dcecd9ff74cb3e71c20a4753f7d82e2f07864b5108f@%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/geode-7... WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/GEODE-7255
Jackson databind Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2020:04... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0445
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2020:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0164
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2020:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0161
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2020:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0160
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2020:01... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0159
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2019:39... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3901

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-16942?
CVE-2019-16942 is a security vulnerability in Jackson databind involving Polymorphic Typing in FasterXML jackson-databind under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data.
Which Jackson databind versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.9.10.1, 2.8.11.5, 2.6.7.3 across affected packages: com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind.
What version fixes CVE-2019-16942?
Upgrading to 2.9.10.1, 2.8.11.5, 2.6.7.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is jackson-databind affected?
Yes, com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind is affected in releases prior to 2.9.10.1, 2.8.11.5, 2.6.7.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.9.10.1, 2.8.11.5, 2.6.7.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-16942?
CVE-2019-16942 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-16942?
CVE-2019-16942 is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data (The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2019-16942?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=com.fasterxml.jackson.core'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-mx7p-6679-8g3q",
  "modified" : "2024-03-15T00:57:36Z",
  "published" : "2019-10-28T20:51:15Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2019-16942" ],
  "summary" : "Polymorphic Typing in FasterXML jackson-databind",
  "details" : "A Polymorphic Typing issue was discovered in FasterXML jackson-databind 2.0.0 through 2.9.10. When Default Typing is enabled (either globally or for a specific property) for an externally exposed JSON endpoint and the service has the commons-dbcp (1.4) jar in the classpath, and an attacker can find an RMI service endpoint to access, it is possible to make the service execute a malicious payload. This issue exists because of org.apache.commons.dbcp.datasources.SharedPoolDataSource and org.apache.commons.dbcp.datasources.PerUserPoolDataSource mishandling.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
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  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
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    "github_reviewed_at" : "2019-10-28T19:19:01Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2019-10-01T17:15:00Z"
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}