OpenDJ: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE-2026-46495 is a critical-severity deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in OpenDJ from OpenIdentityPlatform, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected OpenDJ versions: < 5.1.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.13% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 67% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of OpenDJ you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenIdentityPlatform | OpenDJ | < 5.1.1 | Not stated |
| Org.openidentityplatform.opendj | opendj-server-legacy | < 5.1.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- PresentThe target must be in a specific state or configuration for the attack to work.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
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/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
OpenDJ is an LDAPv3 compliant directory service. Prior to 5.1.1, the JMX RMI connector in opendj-server-legacy/src/main/java/org/opends/server/protocols/jmx/RmiConnector.java processes attacker-controlled credential objects before authentication without a restrictive jmx.remote.rmi.server.credentials.filter.pattern, and RmiAuthenticator.authenticate in opendj-server-legacy/src/main/java/org/opends/server/protocols/jmx/RmiAuthenticator.java accepts an unconstrained Object array rather than a two-element String[]. When the JMX Connection Handler is enabled and its TCP listener is reachable, an unauthenticated remote attacker can submit a crafted serialized Java object and achieve code execution in the OpenDJ server process. The handler is disabled by default, and successful exploitation depends on the runtime classpath and Java version; remote code execution was demonstrated against OpenDJ 4.4.15 on JDK 11 with Jackson 2.12.6.1. This issue is fixed in 5.1.1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If available, use the signing/sealing features of the programming language to assure that deserialized data has not been tainted. For example, a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) could be used to ensure that data has not been modified.
- When deserializing data, populate a new object rather than just deserializing. The result is that the data flows through safe input validation and that the functions are safe.
- Explicitly define a final object() to prevent deserialization.
More Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities (CWE-502)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in OpenDJ
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
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