Apache ActiveMQ Artemis RCE Via Deserialization Gadget Chain
The getObject method of the javax.jms.ObjectMessage class in the (1) JMS Core client, (2) Artemis broker, and (3) Artemis REST component in Apache ActiveMQ Artemis before 1.4.0 might allow remote authenticated users with permission to send messages to the Artemis broker to deserialize arbitrary objects and execute arbitrary code by leveraging gadget classes being present on the Artemis classpath.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.apache.activemq:artemis-pom | < 1.4.0 | 1.4.0 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4978
- https://www.blackhat.com/docs/us-16/materials/us-16-Kaiser-Pwning-Your-Java-Messaging-With-Deserialization-Vulnerabilities.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210123172653/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93142
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc96ad63f148f784c84ea7f0a178c84a8985c6afccabbcd9847a82088@%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc96ad63f148f784c84ea7f0a178c84a8985c6afccabbcd9847a82088%40%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb2fd3bf2dce042e0ab3f3c94c4767c96bb2e7e6737624d63162df36d@%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb2fd3bf2dce042e0ab3f3c94c4767c96bb2e7e6737624d63162df36d%40%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/d4ffbc6a43a915324a394b2913ceb7d07bc352f2d08caa19df0aff02@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/d4ffbc6a43a915324a394b2913ceb7d07bc352f2d08caa19df0aff02%40%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7260bd0955c12aac5bd892039d3356ba3aa0ff4caaf2aa4fd4fe84a2@%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7260bd0955c12aac5bd892039d3356ba3aa0ff4caaf2aa4fd4fe84a2%40%3Cissues.activemq.apache.org%3E
- https://github.com/apache/activemq-artemis
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1451
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1450
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1449
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1448
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1447
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3458
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3456
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3455
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3454
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1837
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1836
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1835
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1834
- http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/activemq-users/201609.mbox/%3CCAH6wpnqzeNtpykT7emtDU1-GV7AvjFP5-YroWcCC4UZyQEFvtA%40mail.gmail.com%3E
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-502- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.apache.activemq:artemis-pom- Disclosed
- 13.05.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:21
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-r9vv-xj4w-g8m8 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.apache.activemq:artemis-pom
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Java / Kotlin (Maven)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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