# CVE-2021-35464: ForgeRock Access Management (AM) Core Server Remote Code Execution

> Unauthenticated attackers can achieve remote code execution on ForgeRock AM servers via a crafted request exploiting a Java deserialization flaw.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 3 Nov 2021 (CISA KEV), used in ransomware
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Jul 2021
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6x75-vwp5-q242

## What is CVE-2021-35464?

CVE-2021-35464 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 22 Jul 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

ForgeRock AM server before 7.0 has a Java deserialization vulnerability in the jato.pageSession parameter on multiple pages. The exploitation does not require authentication, and remote code execution can be triggered by sending a single crafted /ccversion/* request to the server. The vulnerability exists due to the usage of Sun ONE Application Framework (JATO) found in versions of Java 8 or earlier

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-35464?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Forgerock Access Management, Forgerock Openam.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-35464?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-35464 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 17 Nov 2021.

## Is CVE-2021-35464 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-35464 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code:

- openam-CVE-2021-35464 tomcat 执行命令回显 (github_poc): https://github.com/Y4er/openam-CVE-2021-35464
- ForgeRock / OpenAM Jato Java Deserialization (metasploit)
- ForgeRock Access Manager 14.6.3 - Remote Code Execution (RCE) (Unauthenticated) (exploitdb)
- https://github.com/rood8008/CVE-2021-35464 (github_poc): https://github.com/rood8008/CVE-2021-35464
- ForgeRock OpenAM <7.0 - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-35464.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2022-3748](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-3748/): Improper authorization that can lead to account impersonation (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-37153](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-37153/): Auth bypass in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-37154](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-37154/): XML external entity in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-4201](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-4201/): Pre-authentication session hijacking (critical 9.6)
- [CVE-2023-0582](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0582/): Path Traversal in ForgeRock Access Managment (high 8.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-35464 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-35464 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 22 Jul 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-35464 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021, including in ransomware campaigns.

Affected product: n/a. 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-2021-35464/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-35464/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-35464
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-35464
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-35464

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-35464/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.