CVE-2023-46604: Activemq client Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-crg9-44h2-xw35
Share
CVSS 10.0
CWE-502
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-46604 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 10.0) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data) affecting Activemq client libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache activemq is vulnerable to remote code execution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3.

CVE-2023-46604 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-46604
GHSA Identifier GHSA-crg9-44h2-xw35
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 10.0
CWE Classification CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Affected Product Activemq client
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 10.0

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:C/C:L/I:H/A:H/E:H).

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

How to Fix CVE-2023-46604

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

org.apache.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.15.16 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.15.16</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.16.7 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.16.7</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.17.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.17.6</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.18.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.18.3</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy fixed: 5.15.16 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-openwire-legacy</artifactId>
    <version>5.15.16</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy fixed: 5.16.7 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-openwire-legacy</artifactId>
    <version>5.16.7</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy fixed: 5.17.6 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-openwire-legacy</artifactId>
    <version>5.17.6</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy fixed: 5.18.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-openwire-legacy</artifactId>
    <version>5.18.3</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=org.apache.activemq

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-46604, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.activemq

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Activemq client in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 5.15.16), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.activemq 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 Activemq client, 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

Apache ActiveMQ is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution.The vulnerability may allow a remote attacker with network access to a broker to run arbitrary shell commands by manipulating serialized class types in the OpenWire protocol to cause the broker to instantiate any class on the classpath.  Users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3, which fixes this issue.

CVE-2023-46604 Affected Activemq client Versions

8 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.15.165.16.75.17.65.18.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
< 5.15.16
5.15.16
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
≥ 5.16.0
< 5.16.7
5.16.7
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
≥ 5.17.0
< 5.17.6
5.17.6
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
≥ 5.18.0
< 5.18.3
5.18.3
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-openwire-legacy
Maven
≥ 5.8.0
< 5.15.16
5.15.16
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-openwire-legacy
Maven
≥ 5.16.0
< 5.16.7
5.16.7
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-openwire-legacy
Maven
≥ 5.17.0
< 5.17.6
5.17.6
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-openwire-legacy
Maven
≥ 5.18.0
< 5.18.3
5.18.3

References

NVD — CVE-2023-46604 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46604
Activemq client Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/activemq/pull/1098
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/22442b2385b1000312aec3d19e510131d595a5fc
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/80089f9f476afab7d976f5fc37c5ab4aa0c2139d
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/958330df26cf3d5cdb63905dc2c6882e98781d8f
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/9905e2a5bf9862a049f94ce0a2465b0c7ad52436
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/d0ccdd31544ada83185554c87c7aa141064020f0
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5
www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vul... WEB
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-46604
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/10/msg00027.html
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.html
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/amq-937... WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-9370
Activemq client Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/activemq
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604-announcement.txt
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html
seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024... WEB
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-46604?
CVE-2023-46604 is a security vulnerability in Activemq client involving Apache ActiveMQ is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data.
Which Activemq client versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3 across affected packages: org.apache.activemq:activemq-client, org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy.
What version fixes CVE-2023-46604?
Upgrading to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is activemq-client affected?
Yes, org.apache.activemq:activemq-client is affected in releases prior to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3. Upgrade your dependency to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3 or later.
Is activemq-openwire-legacy affected?
Yes, org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy is affected in releases prior to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3. Upgrade your dependency to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, 5.18.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-46604?
CVE-2023-46604 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H/E:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-46604?
CVE-2023-46604 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-2023-46604?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.activemq'. 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-crg9-44h2-xw35",
  "modified" : "2025-11-04T00:30:41Z",
  "published" : "2023-10-27T15:30:20Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-46604" ],
  "summary" : "Apache ActiveMQ is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution",
  "details" : "Apache ActiveMQ is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution.The vulnerability may allow a remote attacker with network access to a broker to run arbitrary shell commands by manipulating serialized class types in the OpenWire protocol to cause the broker to instantiate any class on the classpath. \n\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3, which fixes this issue.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H/E:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.activemq:activemq-client"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.15.16"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.activemq:activemq-client"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.16.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.16.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
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      "name" : "org.apache.activemq:activemq-client"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.17.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.17.6"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.activemq:activemq-client"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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      }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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        "introduced" : "5.8.0"
      }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
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    },
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      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "5.17.0"
      }, {
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      } ]
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  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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  }, {
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/d0ccdd31544ada83185554c87c7aa141064020f0"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-46604"
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    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/10/msg00027.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.html"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-9370"
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-502" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-10-30T20:08:40Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-10-27T15:15:14Z"
  }
}