CVE-2023-23477Network attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via crafted serialized objects

Published Feb 3, 2023 · Updated Mar 25, 2025

Deserialization in IBM WebSphere Application Server traditional 8.5 and 9.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The server processes a specially crafted sequence of serialized objects, but IBM has not disclosed the receiving component or unsafe deserialization path. The attack is network-reachable and requires neither authentication nor user interaction; successful exploitation runs code with the server process's authority.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.95%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization in IBM WebSphere Application Server traditional 8.5 and 9.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The server processes a specially crafted sequence of serialized objects, but IBM has not disclosed the receiving component or unsafe deserialization path. The attack is network-reachable and requires neither authentication nor user interaction; successful exploitation runs code with the server process's authority.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-23477
Published
Feb 3, 2023
Updated
Mar 25, 2025
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM WebSphere Application Server
Classifications
CWE-94, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 3, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 25, 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=8.5, 9.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM WebSphere Application Serverversion=8.5, 9.0

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
8.1IBMCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/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-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code 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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