# CVE-2013-4271: Restlet Arbitrary Java Code Execution via a serialized object

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary Java code via serialized objects due to unsafe deserialization in the default configuration of the Restlet library.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 10 Oct 2013
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f3mv-g3xr-fp7w, UBUNTU-CVE-2013-4271

## What is CVE-2013-4271?

CVE-2013-4271 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 10 Oct 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The default configuration of the ObjectRepresentation class in Restlet before 2.1.4 deserializes objects from untrusted sources, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via a serialized object, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-4221.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2013-4271?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.restlet.jse:org.restlet. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.restlet.jse:org.restlet` | Maven | All versions | 2.1.4 |
| `org.restlet.jse:org.restlet` | Maven | All versions | 2.1.4 |

Products: Restlet Restlet.

## How do I fix CVE-2013-4271?

Upgrade org.restlet.jse:org.restlet to 2.1.4 or later.

## Is CVE-2013-4271 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2013-4271 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2017-14868](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-14868/): Restlet Framework Ja-rs extension is vulnerable to XXE when using SimpleXMLProvider (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2017-14949](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-14949/): Restlet Framework allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via a crafted REST API HTTP request (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2013-4221](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4221/): Restlet is vulnerable to Arbitrary Java Code Execution via crafted XML (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2013-4271 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2013-4271 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 10 Oct 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2013-4271 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.restlet.jse:org.restlet (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.4
- org.restlet.jse:org.restlet (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.4

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-2013-4271/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4271/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2013-4271
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-4271
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2013-4271

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4271/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.