---
title: "CVE-2023-46604: Apache ActiveMQ Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-46604/
description: "CVE-2023-46604 (Apache ActiveMQ): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). The Java OpenWire protocol marshaller is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution. This…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2023-10-27
date_modified: 2025-11-04
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2023-46604"
kev: true
cvss: 10
epss: 0.99891
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2023-46604: Apache ActiveMQ Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run Apache ActiveMQ. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-11-02, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2023-11-23 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target. CISA also lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns .
- EPSS 99.9% , percentile 100.0: FIRST’s model estimates a 99.9% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 100.0% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes org.apache.activemq:activemq-client (Maven) < 5.15.16, fixed in 5.15.16 ; org.apache.activemq:activemq-client (Maven) >= 5.16.0, < 5.16.7, fixed in 5.16.7 ; org.apache.activemq:activemq-client (Maven) >= 5.17.0, < 5.17.6, fixed in 5.17.6 ; org.apache.activemq:activemq-client (Maven) >= 5.18.0, < 5.18.3, fixed in 5.18.3 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

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 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.

## Affected packages

- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-client` < 5.15.16 → fixed: 5.15.16
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-client` >= 5.16.0, < 5.16.7 → fixed: 5.16.7
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-client` >= 5.17.0, < 5.17.6 → fixed: 5.17.6
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-client` >= 5.18.0, < 5.18.3 → fixed: 5.18.3
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy` >= 5.8.0, < 5.15.16 → fixed: 5.15.16
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy` >= 5.16.0, < 5.16.7 → fixed: 5.16.7
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy` >= 5.17.0, < 5.17.6 → fixed: 5.17.6
- Maven `org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacy` >= 5.18.0, < 5.18.3 → fixed: 5.18.3

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Apache Software Foundation Apache ActiveMQ: 5.18.0 < 5.18.3, 5.17.0 < 5.17.6, 5.16.0 < 5.16.7, < 5.15.16
- Apache Software Foundation Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module: 5.18.0 < 5.18.3, 5.17.0 < 5.17.6, 5.16.0 < 5.16.7, 5.8.0 < 5.15.16

## Severity

- apache CVSS 3.1: 10 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H`
- GitHub CVSS 3.1: 10.0 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H/E:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2023-11-02; federal due date 2023-11-23. Known ransomware use: Known.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable yes , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 99.89% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 100.0.

## Sources

- [activemq.apache.org](https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604-announcement.txt)
- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-crg9-44h2-xw35](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-crg9-44h2-xw35)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2023-46604](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-46604)
- [NVD entry CVE-2023-46604](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46604)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-46604)
- [openwall.com](https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5)
- [security.netapp.com](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010/)
- [packetstormsecurity.com](https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html)
- [lists.debian.org](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.html)
- [seclists.org](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18)
- [lists.debian.org](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/10/msg00027.html)
- [activemq.apache.org](https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604)
- [issues.apache.org](https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-9370)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/pull/1098)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/80089f9f476afab7d976f5fc37c5ab4aa0c2139d)
- [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/22442b2385b1000312aec3d19e510131d595a5fc)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/958330df26cf3d5cdb63905dc2c6882e98781d8f)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/9905e2a5bf9862a049f94ce0a2465b0c7ad52436)
- [github.com](https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/d0ccdd31544ada83185554c87c7aa141064020f0)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-46604/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt