CVE-2023-46604
RCE in Apache Activemq ≤ 5.15.16
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-46604 is a critical-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Apache Activemq. Its CVSS base score is 10.0 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Junk Data (T1001.001); ranked in the top 0.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
The vulnerability CVE-2023-46604 affects the Java OpenWire protocol marshaller in Apache ActiveMQ brokers and clients. It stems from unsafe deserialization of class types that permits an attacker to instantiate arbitrary classes present on the classpath, resulting in remote code execution with a CVSS score of 10.0 and classification under CWE-502.
A remote attacker with network access to either an OpenWire broker or client can exploit the flaw by sending crafted serialized payloads over the protocol. Successful exploitation allows execution of arbitrary shell commands on the target system, with the attack surface extending bidirectionally between clients and brokers.
Official advisories from the Apache ActiveMQ project and downstream vendors such as Debian and NetApp direct users to upgrade both brokers and clients to versions 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3. Additional references include public exploit code and coordinated disclosure notifications that reinforce the same patching guidance.
The associated EPSS score has remained at a high level, with a current value of 0.9444 and a recorded peak of 0.9731, consistent with sustained exploitation interest following public release of proof-of-concept material.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-2719
Vulnerability Data
The Java OpenWire protocol marshaller is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability may allow a remote attacker with network access to either a Java-based OpenWire broker or client to run arbitrary shell commands by manipulating serialized class types in…
more
the OpenWire protocol to cause either the client or the broker (respectively) to instantiate any class on the classpath. Users are recommended to upgrade both brokers and clients to version 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3 which fixes this issue.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 02 November 2023
Related Threats
Threat-Actor AttributionAI
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
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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.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
PR.PS-02 addresses only post-deployment updates/patching and cannot prevent introduction of unsafe deserialization code, yet it can remediate some instances when the flaw exists in outdated libraries or components.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.