---
title: "CVE-2026-33728: dd-trace-java: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to remote code execution"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-33728/
description: "CVE-2026-33728 (com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent (Maven)): dd-trace-java is a Datadog APM client for Java. In versions of dd-trace-java 0.40.0 through prior to…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-03-27
date_modified: 2026-06-09
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-33728"
kev: false
cvss: 9.3
epss: 0.00987
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-33728: dd-trace-java: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to remote code execution

**Signal:** Critical and remotely reachable. No known exploitation yet, but it is network-reachable without credentials. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- No confirmed exploitation. It is not in CISA’s KEV catalog and CISA’s SSVC assessment records no known exploitation. That can change quickly after a public write-up; re-check if you are affected.
- EPSS 1.0% , percentile 62: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 62% of all scored CVEs (moderate). 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 com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent (Maven) >= 0.40.0, < 1.60.3, fixed in 1.60.3 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

dd-trace-java is a Datadog APM client for Java. In versions of dd-trace-java 0.40.0 through prior to 1.60.2, the RMI instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data without applying serialization filters. On JDK version 16 and earlier, an attacker with network access to a JMX or RMI port on an instrumented JVM could exploit this to potentially achieve remote code execution. All three of the following conditions must be true to exploit this vulnerability: First, dd-trace-java is attached as a Java agent (-javaagent) on Java 16 or earlier. Second, a JMX/RMI port has been explicitly configured via -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port and is network-reachable, Third, a gadget-chain-compatible library is present on the classpath. For JDK >= 17, no action is required, but upgrading is strongly encouraged. For JDK >= 8u121

## Affected packages

- Maven `com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent` >= 0.40.0, < 1.60.3 → fixed: 1.60.3

## Affected products (CVE record)

- DataDog dd-trace-java: >= 0.40.0, < 1.60.3

## Severity

- GitHub_M CVSS 4.0: 9.3 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`
- GitHub CVSS 4.0: 9.3 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none , automatable yes , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.99% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 62.

## Sources

- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-33728](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-33728)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-33728](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-33728)
- [github.com](https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-java/security/advisories/GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2)
- [github.com](https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-java/releases/tag/v1.60.3)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-33728/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt