CVE-2022-37021
Published: 31 August 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-37021 is a critical-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Apache Geode. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 31.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
Apache Geode versions up to 1.12.5, 1.13.4, and 1.14.0 contain a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability when JMX is used over RMI on Java 8. The flaw is tracked as CWE-502 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8, reflecting network-accessible attack vectors that require no authentication or user interaction.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can supply a malicious serialized object through the JMX/RMI interface, leading to arbitrary code execution, data disclosure, or service disruption on affected Locators or Servers that remain on Java 8.
Apache advisory information directs users to upgrade to Geode 1.15 together with Java 11; when a Java 11 migration is not feasible, the same release can be started with the flag "--J=-Dgeode.enableGlobalSerialFilter=true" and an explicit serializable-object-filter configuration to restrict permitted classes.
The associated EPSS score rose sharply from a low baseline to a peak of 0.2491 on 2025-01-22 before receding to its current value of 0.0057, indicating a period of increased exploitation interest well after the original disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-6906
Vulnerability details
Apache Geode versions up to 1.12.5, 1.13.4 and 1.14.0 are vulnerable to a deserialization of untrusted data flaw when using JMX over RMI on Java 8. Any user still on Java 8 who wishes to protect against deserialization attacks involving…
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JMX or RMI should upgrade to Apache Geode 1.15 and Java 11. If upgrading to Java 11 is not possible, then upgrade to Apache Geode 1.15 and specify "--J=-Dgeode.enableGlobalSerialFilter=true" when starting any Locators or Servers. Follow the documentation for details on specifying any user classes that may be serialized/deserialized with the "serializable-object-filter" configuration option. Using a global serial filter will impact performance.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing supplies malicious serialized objects, detecting unsafe deserialization and supporting corrective actions.
Evaluation of untrusted data handling (deserialization testing) reveals unsafe processing, which the required remediation process addresses.
Untrusted serialized data can be deserialized and observed inside the chamber, blocking gadget-chain exploitation outside the sandbox.
Validates or rejects untrusted serialized data before deserialization occurs.
Identifies and blocks malicious code introduced through deserialization of untrusted data at system boundaries.
Integrity verification of serialized information can detect tampering before deserialization occurs.
Provenance of associated data allows detection of untrusted sources before deserialization or processing occurs.