Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This CVE affects older FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x releases before 2.9.10.4. In exposed Java software, unsafe deserialization behavior can allow serious impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability when risky typing and a known gadget class are present.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or partner-facing Java systems that deserialize external JSON. If exposure is limited to internal systems without the risky classpath and typing conditions, handle through accelerated dependency patching rather than emergency response.
Technical view
CVE-2020-10968 is a CWE-502 deserialization issue in jackson-databind involving serialization gadgets and typing, specifically org.aoju.bus.proxy.provider.remoting.RmiProvider from bus-proxy. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8, with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, and high CIA impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in Java applications or vendor products bundling jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.4, especially where polymorphic typing processes untrusted JSON and the bus-proxy gadget class is available.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Treat this as a serious dependency risk because impact is high, but validate whether the vulnerable library version and gadget conditions exist before escalating to incident response.
Researcher notes
The affected CPE data in the bundle is incomplete, so dependency and classpath validation matter. The issue is narrower than simply having jackson-databind installed; the cited description ties risk to typing behavior and a specific gadget provider.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade jackson-databind to 2.9.10.4 or a later vendor-supported fixed release.
- Apply relevant Debian, Oracle, NetApp, or product vendor security updates where jackson-databind is bundled.
- Review use of polymorphic or default typing on untrusted input.
- Remove unnecessary gadget-bearing libraries from application classpaths where feasible.
- Check vendor guidance before applying compensating controls not documented for your product.
Validation and detection
- Inventory direct and transitive jackson-databind dependencies across Java services and packaged products.
- Flag jackson-databind 2.x versions earlier than 2.9.10.4.
- Check whether bus-proxy classes are present in affected application classpaths.
- Identify endpoints or workflows that deserialize untrusted JSON with polymorphic typing.
- Confirm vendor advisories for appliances or third-party products that embed jackson-databind.
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.
CWE-502: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-10968 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
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200417 [SECURITY] [DLA 2179-1] jackson-databind security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- https://medium.com/%40cowtowncoder/on-jackson-cves-dont-panic-here-is-what-you-need-to-know-54cd0d6e8062CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200403-0002/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/issues/2662CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.
Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Deserialization of Untrusted Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.