Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a conditional remote code execution risk in Jackson Databind. A vulnerable Java service is exposed only when old Jackson versions are used, Default Typing is enabled, Jodd-db is on the classpath, and attacker-controlled input can cause outbound LDAP access.
Executive priority
Prioritize systems that process untrusted input in Java services. This is not automatically exploitable everywhere, but affected combinations can lead to code execution, making remediation important for internet-facing and high-trust services.
Technical view
CVE-2018-12022 affects jackson-databind before 2.7.9.4, 2.8.11.2, and 2.9.6. With Default Typing enabled and the Jodd-db jar present, unsafe polymorphic deserialization can allow execution of a malicious payload via attacker-provided LDAP interaction.
Likely exposure
Most likely exposure is Java applications or bundled products using vulnerable jackson-databind versions with Default Typing enabled and Jodd-db available at runtime. Dependency transitivity matters, so applications may be exposed even if Jackson is not directly declared.
Exploitation context
The source bundle says exploitation requires specific runtime conditions and attacker-controlled LDAP access. CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation. No exploit maturity or public weaponization evidence is provided here.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strongest for the vulnerable conditions and fixed version thresholds. The bundle does not include CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or a complete affected product list. Treat product exposure as dependency and runtime-configuration dependent.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade jackson-databind to a fixed or vendor-supported version.
- Apply relevant Red Hat, Debian, or application vendor security updates.
- Disable Default Typing where it is not strictly required.
- Remove Jodd-db from runtime classpaths if unused.
- Restrict outbound LDAP from application runtimes where feasible.
- Check vendor guidance for affected packaged products.
Validation and detection
- Inventory jackson-databind versions across direct and transitive dependencies.
- Review code and configuration for enabled Default Typing.
- Confirm whether Jodd-db is present in runtime classpaths.
- Check whether exposed services deserialize attacker-controlled data.
- Verify vendor package updates are installed in managed platforms.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Database behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-12022 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- RHSA-2019:0782CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:0877CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHBA-2019:0959CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1107CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1108CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1106CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1140CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- DSA-4452CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
- 20190527 [SECURITY] [DSA 4452-1] jackson-databind security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_BUGTRAQ
- RHSA-2019:1782CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1797CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1822CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:1823CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:2804CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:2858CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- [lucene-issues] 20191004 [GitHub] [lucene-solr] marungo opened a new pull request #925: SOLR-13818: Upgrade jackson to 2.10.0CVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- RHSA-2019:3002CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHSA-2019:3140CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- [drill-dev] 20191017 Dependencies used by Drill contain known vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- RHSA-2019:3149CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- [drill-dev] 20191021 [jira] [Created] (DRILL-7416) Updates required to dependencies to resolve potential security vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- [drill-issues] 20191021 [jira] [Created] (DRILL-7416) Updates required to dependencies to resolve potential security vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- RHSA-2019:3892CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
