CVE-2021-36162Network attack vector

Remote code execution via unsafe YAML loading

Published Sep 7, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unsafe YAML deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.7.12 and earlier and 3.0.0 through 3.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. MeshAppRuleListener passes configuration-center mesh rules to SnakeYAML loadAll with a default constructor that permits arbitrary Java object construction. Exploitation requires access to poison a rule in ZooKeeper, Nacos, or another configuration center, after which each retrieving consumer executes the payload.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe YAML deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.7.12 and earlier and 3.0.0 through 3.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. MeshAppRuleListener passes configuration-center mesh rules to SnakeYAML loadAll with a default constructor that permits arbitrary Java object construction. Exploitation requires access to poison a rule in ZooKeeper, Nacos, or another configuration center, after which each retrieving consumer executes the payload.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36162
Published
Sep 7, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Dubbo
Classifications
CWE-77, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 7, 2021CVE 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 Dubbo 2.7.x <=2.7.12
  2. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <=3.0.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Dubboversion=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <=2.7.12; version=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <=3.0.1

Published CVSS scores

8.8GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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