CVE-2020-11973Network attack vector

Remote code execution via default object deserialization

Published May 14, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unsafe deserialization in Apache Camel Netty 2.22.0 through 2.25.0 and 3.0.0 through 3.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute code. NettyConfiguration installs unrestricted TCP or UDP object decoders by default when a route specifies neither textline nor custom codecs. A network-reachable Netty consumer and a compatible gadget class are required; successful exploitation executes code in the Camel process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability6.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe deserialization in Apache Camel Netty 2.22.0 through 2.25.0 and 3.0.0 through 3.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute code. NettyConfiguration installs unrestricted TCP or UDP object decoders by default when a route specifies neither textline nor custom codecs. A network-reachable Netty consumer and a compatible gadget class are required; successful exploitation executes code in the Camel process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-11973
Published
May 14, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Camel
Classifications
CWE-502, CAPEC-586, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 14, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache Camel 2.22.x, 2.23.x, 2.24.x, 2.25.0, 3.0.0 up to 3.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Camelversion=Apache Camel 2.22.x, 2.23.x, 2.24.x, 2.25.0, 3.0.0 up to 3.1.0

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CAPEC-586Object Injection
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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