# CVE-2008-5353: Deserialization in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by exploiting improper deserialization of ZoneInfo objects in the Java Runtime Environment.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Dec 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3fx3-qcjv-qr6h, MINI-27v4-69g8-758c, MINI-5xhf-9jfp-ch22, MINI-84jf-7m9x-cg3x, MINI-c5vp-48vx-6777, MINI-gw86-7c97-3qhx, MINI-q3rr-pfw8-cvpf, MINI-rpq4-xcc4-569m

## What is CVE-2008-5353?

CVE-2008-5353 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Sun Jdk, published on 5 Dec 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for Sun JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier; JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier; and SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier does not properly enforce context of ZoneInfo objects during deserialization, which allows remote attackers to run untrusted applets and applications in a privileged context, as demonstrated by "deserializing Calendar objects".

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-5353?

It affects 3 products.


Products: Sun Jdk, Sun Jre, Sun Sdk.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-5353?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-5353 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-5353 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Sun Java Runtime and Development Kit 6 Update 10 - Calendar Deserialization (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Sun Java Calendar Deserialization Privilege Escalation (metasploit)
- Apple Mac OSX - Java applet Remote Deserialization Remote (2) (exploitdb)
- Sun Java - Calendar Deserialization (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Signed Applet Social Engineering - Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Sun Jdk

- [CVE-2011-3521](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3521/): Deserialization in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3548](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3548/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3549](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3549/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3554](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3554/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-0802](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-0802/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-5353 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-5353 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Sun Jdk, published on 5 Dec 2008. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-5353 exists.

Affected product: Sun Jdk. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5353/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5353/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-5353
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5353
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-5353

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5353/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.