CVE-2023-51518 json
Apache James server: Privilege escalation via JMX pre-authentication deserialisation
published 2024-02-27 2 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2024-0689 , GHSA-px7w-c9gw-7gj3
- cvss
- 9.8
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 1.2%
- EPSS 1.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 68%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
Apache James prior to version 3.7.5 and 3.8.0 exposes a JMX endpoint on localhost subject to pre-authentication deserialisation of untrusted data. Given a deserialisation gadjet, this could be leveraged as part of an exploit chain that could result in privilege escalation. Note that by default JMX endpoint is only bound locally.
We recommend users to: - Upgrade to a non-vulnerable Apache James version
- Run Apache James isolated from other processes (docker - dedicated virtual machine) - If possible turn off JMX
Patch / fix
- maven org.apache.james:james-server 3.7.5, 3.8.1
- apache james 3.7.5, 3.8.1
- org.apache.james james-server 3.7.5, 3.8.1
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- total
- Assessed
- 2 y ago
Exploit prediction
1.19% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 68% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA ADP | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| GitHub | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| CNA | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
Affected packages
| ecosystem | package | affected | fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| maven | org.apache.james:james-server | <3.7.5 >=3.8.0, <3.8.1 |
3.7.5 3.8.1 |
Affected products
- Apache Software Foundation Apache James server
- apache james_server
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
-
lists.apache.org
/thread/wbdm61ch6l0kzjn6nnfmyqlng82qz0or
vendor-advisory, web, mailing-list
-
nvd.nist.gov
/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51518
advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2023-51518
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-px7w-c9gw-7gj3
- NVD CVE-2023-51518
Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.
CPEs and fixed versions use Anchore's correction of NVD's data: Added CPE configurations because not yet analyzed by NVD.