CVE-2020-36188 : Security Advisory and Response

FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.8 mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, related to com.newrelic.agent.deps.ch.qos.logback.core.db.JNDIConnectionSource.

Understanding CVE-2020-36188

This CVE involves a vulnerability in FasterXML jackson-databind that can lead to mishandling of serialization gadgets and typing interactions.

What is CVE-2020-36188?

The CVE-2020-36188 vulnerability in FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before version 2.9.10.8 allows for improper handling of serialization gadgets and typing interactions, specifically related to com.newrelic.agent.deps.ch.qos.logback.core.db.JNDIConnectionSource.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36188

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code, leading to potential remote code execution and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36188

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the mishandling of serialization gadgets and typing interactions in FasterXML jackson-databind, specifically in the context of com.newrelic.agent.deps.ch.qos.logback.core.db.JNDIConnectionSource.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: All versions of FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.10.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable jackson-databind library, could result in the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-36188 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FasterXML jackson-databind to version 2.9.10.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any signs of unauthorized access or unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems using FasterXML jackson-databind are promptly patched with the latest updates to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.