CVE-2023-46604
Confirmed PUBLISHEDApache ActiveMQ, Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module: Unbounded deserialization causes ActiveMQ to be vulnerable to a remote code execution (RCE) attack
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
The Java OpenWire protocol marshaller is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability may allow a remote attacker with network access to either a Java-based OpenWire broker or client to run arbitrary shell commands by manipulating serialized class types in the OpenWire protocol to cause either the client or the broker (respectively) to instantiate any class on the classpath. Users are recommended to upgrade both brokers and clients to version 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3 which fixes this issue.
- CVE Published
- Oct 27, 2023
- Exploitation Reported
- Nov 02, 2023
- CVSS
- 10.0 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ
|
5.18.0 to < 5.18.3 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ
|
5.17.0 to < 5.17.6 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ
|
5.16.0 to < 5.16.7 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ
|
0 to < 5.15.16 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module
|
5.18.0 to < 5.18.3 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module
|
5.17.0 to < 5.17.6 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module
|
5.16.0 to < 5.16.7 |
Affected |
| Apache Software Foundation |
Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module
|
5.8.0 to < 5.15.16 |
Affected |
CVE References
- Vendor Advisory — activemq.apache.org activemq.apache.org · Vendor Advisory https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2023-46604-a...
- OSS-Security Mailing List openwall.com · CVE Record https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/27/5
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010 security.netapp.com · CVE Record https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231110-0010/
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthenticated... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175676/Apache-ActiveMQ-Unauthen...
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.html lists.debian.org · CVE Record https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00013.html
Show 1 more reference
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18 seclists.org · CVE Record http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Apr/18
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2023-11-02 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/javascript/cves/2023/CVE-2023-46604.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2023-11-02 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Used in malware
Recorded 2023-11-02 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2023-11-03 22:06:09 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/javascript/cves/2023/CVE-2023-46604.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2024-10-16 03:31:13 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2023-11-16 02:36:07 UTC · 2 stars
CVE-2023-46604环境复现包
github · Created 2023-11-12 11:26:46 UTC · 16 stars
This script leverages CVE-2023046604 (Apache ActiveMQ) to generate a pseudo shell. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution due to unsafe deserialization within the OpenWire protocol.
github · Created 2023-11-09 11:27:20 UTC · 3 stars
github · Created 2023-11-08 07:48:00 UTC · 5 stars
CVE-2023-46604 Apache ActiveMQ RCE exp 基于python
github · Created 2023-11-04 11:58:21 UTC · 32 stars
github · Created 2023-11-03 22:06:09 UTC · 114 stars
Achieving a Reverse Shell Exploit for Apache ActiveMQ (CVE_2023-46604)
nuclei · Created Unknown
metasploit · Created Unknown
Metasploit module for CVE-2023-46604
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
22:06 UTC over 2 years ago22:06 UTC · over 2 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 2 years ago00:00 UTC · over 2 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 2 years ago00:00 UTC · over 2 years ago
First public exploitation report
Exploit observed in malware
-
14:59 UTC over 2 years ago14:59 UTC · over 2 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
08:55 UTC over 2 years ago08:55 UTC · over 2 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2023-46604
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2023-46604",
"title": "Apache ActiveMQ, Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module: Unbounded deserializ...",
"affected_vendor": "Apache Software Foundation",
"affected_product": "Apache ActiveMQ, Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 10.0,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}