Apache Dubbo vulnerable to remote code execution via Telnet HandlerGHSA-fprr-rrm8-4534
CRITICALGHSA-fprr-rrm8-4534 is a critical-severity (CVSS 9.8) Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent. 1 public exploit or proof-of-concept reference is indexed, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Exploitation Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code exists
- CISA’s SSVC triage found public proof-of-concept exploit code for this CVE, though no confirmed active exploitation.
- CISA assesses this as automatable — exploitation doesn’t require manual, per-target effort, which raises the odds of mass scanning and opportunistic attacks.
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for GHSA-fprr-rrm8-4534.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent☕org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parentReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Maven packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Apache Dubbo is a Java based, open source RPC framework. Versions prior to 2.6.10 and 2.7.10 are vulnerable to pre-authorization remote code execution via arbitrary bean manipulation in the Telnet handler. The Dubbo main service port can be used to access a Telnet Handler which offers some basic methods to collect information about the providers and methods exposed by the service and it can even allow to shutdown the service. This endpoint is unprotected.
Additionally, a provider method can be invoked using the invoke handler. This handler uses a safe version of FastJson to process the call arguments. However, the resulting list is later processed with PojoUtils.realize which can be used to instantiate arbitrary classes and invoke its setters. Even though FastJson is properly protected with a default blocklist, PojoUtils.realize is not, and an attacker can leverage that to achieve remote code execution.
Versions 2.6.10 and 2.7.10 contain fixes for this issue.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent | all versions | 2.6.10org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent:2.6.10 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent | ≥ 2.7.0&&< 2.7.10 | 2.7.10org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent:2.7.10 |
Affected Products
dubboapacheResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update org.apache.dubbo:dubbo-parent to 2.6.10 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-fprr-rrm8-4534 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
Do not deserialise data from untrusted sources: where the format allows it, restrict deserialisation to an explicit allowlist of expected types, and prefer a data-only format (JSON, Protobuf) over one that can reconstruct arbitrary objects until you can upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-fprr-rrm8-4534 in your dependencies?
Find it across Maven, including transitive dependencies.