Critical severityCISA KEVNVD Advisory· Published Oct 27, 2023· Updated Nov 3, 2025
Apache ActiveMQ, Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module: Unbounded deserialization causes ActiveMQ to be vulnerable to a remote code execution (RCE) attack
CVE-2023-46604
Description
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.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
org.apache.activemq:activemq-clientMaven | < 5.15.16 | 5.15.16 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-clientMaven | >= 5.16.0, < 5.16.7 | 5.16.7 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-clientMaven | >= 5.17.0, < 5.17.6 | 5.17.6 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-clientMaven | >= 5.18.0, < 5.18.3 | 5.18.3 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacyMaven | >= 5.8.0, < 5.15.16 | 5.15.16 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacyMaven | >= 5.16.0, < 5.16.7 | 5.16.7 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacyMaven | >= 5.17.0, < 5.17.6 | 5.17.6 |
org.apache.activemq:activemq-openwire-legacyMaven | >= 5.18.0, < 5.18.3 | 5.18.3 |
Affected products
5- osv-coords3 versionspkg:bitnami/activemqpkg:maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-clientpkg:maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-openwire-legacy
< 5.15.16+ 2 more
- (no CPE)range: < 5.15.16
- (no CPE)range: < 5.15.16
- (no CPE)range: >= 5.8.0, < 5.15.16
- Apache Software Foundation/Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Modulev5Range: 5.18.0
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
21- activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604-announcement.txtghsavendor-advisoryWEB
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-crg9-44h2-xw35ghsaADVISORY
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46604ghsaADVISORY
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlghsaWEB
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18ghsaWEB
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5ghsaWEB
- activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604ghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/22442b2385b1000312aec3d19e510131d595a5fcghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/80089f9f476afab7d976f5fc37c5ab4aa0c2139dghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/958330df26cf3d5cdb63905dc2c6882e98781d8fghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/9905e2a5bf9862a049f94ce0a2465b0c7ad52436ghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/commit/d0ccdd31544ada83185554c87c7aa141064020f0ghsaWEB
- github.com/apache/activemq/pull/1098ghsaWEB
- issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-9370ghsaWEB
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.htmlghsaWEB
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/10/msg00027.htmlghsaWEB
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlghsaWEB
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010ghsaWEB
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalogghsaWEB
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5ghsaWEB
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010/mitre
News mentions
2- Exploits and vulnerabilities in Q1 2026Securelist · May 7, 2026
- Apache ActiveMQ Exploit Leads to LockBit RansomwareTheDFIRReport · Feb 23, 2026