CVE-2023-23638Network attack vector

Remote code execution via generic invocation deserialization

Published Mar 8, 2023 · Updated Oct 23, 2024

Deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.7.21 and earlier, 3.0.13 and earlier, and 3.1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code. The generic-invocation path deserializes attacker-controlled call data; Apache has not identified the responsible function or disclosed the bypass. A reachable Dubbo service that accepts generic invocation is the gate, and successful exploitation runs code in the service process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability4.85%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Deserialization in Apache Dubbo 2.7.21 and earlier, 3.0.13 and earlier, and 3.1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code. The generic-invocation path deserializes attacker-controlled call data; Apache has not identified the responsible function or disclosed the bypass. A reachable Dubbo service that accepts generic invocation is the gate, and successful exploitation runs code in the service process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-23638
Published
Mar 8, 2023
Updated
Oct 23, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Dubbo
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 8, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 23, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

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 <=2.7.21
  2. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <=3.0.13
  3. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 3.1.x <=3.1.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Dubboversion=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <=2.7.21; version=Apache Dubbo 3.0.x <=3.0.13; version=Apache Dubbo 3.1.x <=3.1.5

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.

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
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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo