CVE-2023-38647Network attack vector

Remote code execution via SnakeYAML gadget chain

Published Jul 26, 2023 · Updated Oct 2, 2024

Deserialization in Apache Helix 1.2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through REST or workflow YAML. SnakeYAML constructs a URLClassLoader from attacker-controlled YAML, fetches a remote JAR, and ScriptEngineManager loads its code. The Helix REST start or workflow-creation path must accept malicious YAML; successful execution compromises the hosting process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.95%
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 Helix 1.2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through REST or workflow YAML. SnakeYAML constructs a URLClassLoader from attacker-controlled YAML, fetches a remote JAR, and ScriptEngineManager loads its code. The Helix REST start or workflow-creation path must accept malicious YAML; successful execution compromises the hosting process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38647
Published
Jul 26, 2023
Updated
Oct 2, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Helix
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 26, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 2, 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=0 <=1.2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Helixversion=0 <=1.2.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3GitHubCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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
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