Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a high-severity Jackson databind deserialization issue. Affected Java applications may be at risk when older jackson-databind 2.x versions process untrusted typed data with specific gadget classes available. The public record does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation in externally reachable Java services and vendor products processing untrusted data. This is high impact but has high attack complexity and no cited active exploitation, so handle through accelerated patch management rather than crisis response.
Technical view
CVE-2020-35728 is a CWE-502 issue in FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.8 involving serialization gadgets and typing, specifically JNDIConnectionPool in embedded Xalan variants. CVSS 3.1 is 8.1, with network attack vector, no privileges, no user interaction, and high complexity.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in Java services or downstream products bundling jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.8, especially where untrusted JSON uses polymorphic typing and the named gadget is present. The CVE bundle lists affected vendor/product as n/a, so product-specific exposure needs local inventory and vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector allows unauthenticated network exploitation, but attack complexity is high. The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no source confirming exploitation in the wild. Treat this as serious dependency risk, not as a proven actively exploited emergency.
Researcher notes
Key uncertainty is environmental exploitability: vulnerable version alone may not be enough without unsafe typing behavior and the relevant gadget on the classpath. The CVE source names jackson-databind before 2.9.10.8 and downstream advisories, but does not provide complete affected product enumeration.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade jackson-databind to 2.9.10.8 or a vendor-supported fixed release.
- Apply relevant Debian, Oracle, NetApp, or application vendor security updates.
- Prioritize internet-facing services that deserialize untrusted JSON data.
- Review vendor guidance before changing runtime typing behavior.
- Track bundled copies inside shaded or embedded Java dependencies.
Validation and detection
- Inventory jackson-databind versions across applications, containers, and SBOMs.
- Flag any 2.x version earlier than 2.9.10.8.
- Check whether affected applications deserialize untrusted typed JSON.
- Review classpaths for the named embedded Xalan gadget package.
- Confirm vendor advisories cover each downstream product or appliance.
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-2020-35728 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
- 8.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/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:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://medium.com/%40cowtowncoder/on-jackson-cves-dont-panic-here-is-what-you-need-to-know-54cd0d6e8062CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/FasterXML/jackson-databind/issues/2999CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- [debian-lts-announce] 20210424 [SECURITY] [DLA 2638-1] jackson-databind security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210129-0007/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.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.