CVE-2021-43297Network attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via exception-triggered toString calls

Published Jan 10, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.6.0 through 2.6.11, 2.7.0 through 2.7.14, and 3.0.0 through 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute code. Hessian error construction interpolates a deserialized object into an exception message, implicitly invoking an attacker-controlled bean's toString method. Network reachability to a Hessian2 service and a deserializable class with a dangerous toString method are required for code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability16.97%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.6.0 through 2.6.11, 2.7.0 through 2.7.14, and 3.0.0 through 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute code. Hessian error construction interpolates a deserialized object into an exception message, implicitly invoking an attacker-controlled bean's toString method. Network reachability to a Hessian2 service and a deserializable class with a dangerous toString method are required for code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-43297
Published
Jan 10, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Dubbo
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 10, 2022CVE 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 2.6.x <2.6.12
  2. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <2.7.15
  3. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <3.0.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Dubboversion=Apache Dubbo 2.6.x <2.6.12; version=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <2.7.15; version=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <3.0.5

Published CVSS scores

9.8GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS: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.

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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
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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