OpenDJ Pre-Auth RCE via Java Deserialization in JMX RMI
Summary
Description
A Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) issue in OpenDJ's JMX RMI connector allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to deserialize arbitrary Java objects on the server. The vulnerability exists because the platform reads and processes attacker-controlled bytes prior to authentication. This affects OpenDJ Community Edition through 5.1.0. This has been patched in version 5.1.1.
Impact
This impacts all current OpenDJ releases where the JMX Connection Handler is enabled. While disabled by default, it is frequently enabled in practice for monitoring integrations. Exploitation requires TCP reachability to the configured listener and does not require authentication, prior privileges, or client certificates. Successful exploitation results in unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE), with the severity depending on the runtime classpath and Java version. Unauthenticated RCE was demonstrated on the OpenDJ 4.4.15 (JDK 11 + Jackson 2.12.6.1).
Patch
This has been patched in OpenDJ Community Edition version 5.1.1. Users are encouraged to update to the latest release.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java / Kotlin (Maven) | org.openidentityplatform.opendj:opendj-server-legacy | < 5.1.1 | 5.1.1 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-502- Platform
- Java / Kotlin (Maven)
- Package
org.openidentityplatform.opendj:opendj-server-legacy- Disclosed
- 22.06.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-43x2-g84q-fmqx - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: org.openidentityplatform.opendj:opendj-server-legacy
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.
- Total entries
- 3
- First → latest
- 03.2025 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 1
Disclosures per year
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 2
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OpenDJ Pre-Auth RCE via Java Deserialization in JMX RMI this entry
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