Unauthenticated code execution via unchecked class instantiation
Published Oct 27, 2023 · Updated Nov 3, 2025
Remote code execution in Apache ActiveMQ OpenWire marshalling allows remote attackers to run arbitrary shell commands over the network. BaseDataStreamMarshaller.createThrowable loads an attacker-supplied class name and invokes its String constructor without first requiring the class to extend Throwable. Exploitation requires network access to a Java-based OpenWire broker or client and a classpath class whose String constructor can execute code.
Summary
What happened
Remote code execution in Apache ActiveMQ OpenWire marshalling allows remote attackers to run arbitrary shell commands over the network. BaseDataStreamMarshaller.createThrowable loads an attacker-supplied class name and invokes its String constructor without first requiring the class to extend Throwable. Exploitation requires network access to a Java-based OpenWire broker or client and a classpath class whose String constructor can execute code.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-46604
- Published
- Oct 27, 2023
- Updated
- Nov 3, 2025
- Vendor
- The Apache Software Foundation
- Product
- Apache ActiveMQ
- Classifications
- CWE-502, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 27, 2023Exploitation reportedHelloKitty ransomware deployment attempts
- Oct 27, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 2, 2023Exploitation reportedCISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry
- Nov 3, 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <5.15.16
- Affected versionversion=5.16.0 <5.16.7
- Affected versionversion=5.17.0 <5.17.6
- Affected versionversion=5.18.0 <5.18.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Rapid7 Metasploit Apache ActiveMQ RCE modulefunctional · validated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entryknown exploited catalog
- HelloKitty ransomware deployment attemptsransomware
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
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