CVE-2025-36038Network attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via crafted serialized objects

Published Jun 25, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

Deserialization of untrusted data in IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 and 9.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. IBM states that a specially crafted sequence of serialized objects triggers the flaw but has not disclosed the receiving component or unsafe deserialization operation. No authentication or user interaction is required, but exploitation has high complexity and grants code execution in the server context.

CVSS severity9.0
Critical
EPSS probability10.83%
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 of untrusted data in IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 and 9.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. IBM states that a specially crafted sequence of serialized objects triggers the flaw but has not disclosed the receiving component or unsafe deserialization operation. No authentication or user interaction is required, but exploitation has high complexity and grants code execution in the server context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-36038
Published
Jun 25, 2025
Updated
Feb 26, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM WebSphere Application Server
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 25, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 26, 2026Record 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=8.5
  2. Affected versionversion=9.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM WebSphere Application Serverversion=8.5; version=9.0

Published CVSS scores

9.0IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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