# CVE-2020-5245: Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in dropwizard-validation

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code via Java Expression Language injection in the self-validating feature of Dropwizard-Validation.

- **Severity:** High 7.9 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 24 Feb 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3mcp-9wr4-cjqf

## What is CVE-2020-5245?

CVE-2020-5245 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in dropwizard-validation, published on 24 Feb 2020. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Dropwizard-Validation before 1.3.19, and 2.0.2 may allow arbitrary code execution on the host system, with the privileges of the Dropwizard service account, by injecting arbitrary Java Expression Language expressions when using the self-validating feature.

The issue has been fixed in dropwizard-validation 1.3.19 and 2.0.2.

Weakness: CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-5245?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation. It affects 2 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation` | Maven | From 1.3.0-rc1 | 1.3.19 |
| `io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation` | Maven | From 1.3.0-rc1 | 1.3.19 |
| `io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation` | Maven | From 2.0.0 | 2.0.2 |
| `io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation` | Maven | From 2.0.0 | 2.0.2 |

Products: Dropwizard Dropwizard Validation, Oracle Blockchain Platform.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-5245?

Upgrade io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation to a fixed version for your release line: 1.3.19 or 2.0.2.

## Is CVE-2020-5245 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-5245 exists.

Public exploit code:

- https://github.com/LycsHub/CVE-2020-5245 (github_poc): https://github.com/LycsHub/CVE-2020-5245

## Other vulnerabilities in dropwizard-validation

- [CVE-2020-11002](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11002/): Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in dropwizard-validation (high 8.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-5245 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-5245 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in dropwizard-validation, published on 24 Feb 2020. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, 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-2020-5245 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation (Maven): affected from 1.3.0-rc1; fixed in 1.3.19
- io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation (Maven): affected from 1.3.0-rc1; fixed in 1.3.19
- io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation (Maven): affected from 2.0.0; fixed in 2.0.2
- io.dropwizard:dropwizard-validation (Maven): affected from 2.0.0; fixed in 2.0.2

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-2020-5245/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-5245/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-5245
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5245
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-5245

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-5245/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.