CVE-2020-11973 Apache Camel Netty enables Java deserialization by default

What is CVE-2020-11973?

CVE-2020-11973 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Apache Camel, published on 14 May 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Apache Camel Netty enables Java deserialization by default. Apache Camel 2.22.x, 2.23.x, 2.24.x, 2.25.0, 3.0.0 up to 3.1.0 are affected. 2.x users should upgrade to 2.25.1, 3.x users should upgrade to 3.2.0.

Weakness: CWE-502

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-11973?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.camel:camel-netty. It affects 4 products.

Products include Apache Camel, Oracle Communications Diameter Signaling Router, Oracle Enterprise Manager Base Platform, Oracle Flexcube Private Banking.

How do I fix CVE-2020-11973?

Upgrade org.apache.camel:camel-netty to 3.2.0 or later.

Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.

Is CVE-2020-11973 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-11973 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Apache Camel

• CVE-2026-33453 Apache camel-coap allows header injection that can lead to remote code execution Critical 10.0
• CVE-2026-40453 Apache Camel has an incomplete fix for CVE-2025-27636 Critical 9.9
• CVE-2026-80351 Apache Camel K: Camel K Tenant repositories reach Maven execution inside operator pod Critical 9.8
• CVE-2026-80352 Apache Camel K: Camel K Master trait serviceAccountName YAML injection lets CR author apply arbitrary objects Critical 9.8
• CVE-2026-71300 Apache Camel: Camel-Atmosphere-Websocket: WebSocket dispatch header injection Critical 9.8

All Apache Camel vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-h79p-32mx-fjj9.