CVE-2021-41616Network attack vector

Arbitrary object construction via unvalidated Java deserialization

Published Sep 30, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Unsafe deserialization in Apache DdlUtils 1.0 allows attackers to trigger object construction from crafted binary database values. BinaryObjectsHelper passes binary column data to ObjectInputStream.readObject without validating which serialized classes may be instantiated. Exploitation requires an application to process attacker-controlled SQL binary data through the helper, and consequences depend on classes available in its Java class path.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.45%
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 DdlUtils 1.0 allows attackers to trigger object construction from crafted binary database values. BinaryObjectsHelper passes binary column data to ObjectInputStream.readObject without validating which serialized classes may be instantiated. Exploitation requires an application to process attacker-controlled SQL binary data through the helper, and consequences depend on classes available in its Java class path.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41616
Published
Sep 30, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache DdlUtils
Classifications
CWE-502
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 30, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record 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 DB ddlutils 1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Apache Software Foundation · Apache DdlUtilsversion=Apache DB ddlutils 1.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA-ADPCVSS: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

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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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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