The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52999 affects Jackson Core, specifically in its incremental ("streaming") parser and generator abstractions. This vulnerability allows a StackOverflowError to be thrown when input files contain deeply nested data, especially in versions prior to 2.15.0. The new version introduces a configurable limit for the depth of traversal in input documents, defaulting to an allowable depth of 1000. If this limit is reached, Jackson will throw a StreamConstraintsException.
This situation poses a significant risk as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to cause denial of service through crafted input files. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to version 2.15.0 or higher to prevent potential exploitation.
As of now, this vulnerability is classified as high severity with a CVSS score of 8.7. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is critical, as it could lead to service disruptions if not remediated promptly.
Users are also advised to avoid parsing input files from untrusted sources as a temporary workaround until the patch can be applied. Given the exploitability status is high and a public proof of concept is available, organizations should take immediate action.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2025-52999 presents a significant vulnerability in Jackson Core, which has core low-level incremental parser and generator abstractions used in Jackson Data Processor. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in versions prior to 2.15.0. The official vendor description notes that if a user parses deeply nested data, it could lead to a StackOverflowError. As of version 2.15.0, there is a new configurable limit for how deep Jackson will traverse in an input document, which defaults to an allowable depth of 1000, throwing a StreamConstraintsException when this limit is reached.
The vulnerability's CVSS score of 8.7 categorizes it as high severity, indicating a serious risk to organizations that utilize this software. The potential impact includes service disruptions and denial of service, particularly affecting systems dependent on JSON input parsing.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is linked to the parsing mechanism in Jackson Core when dealing with deeply nested JSON data structures. The attack vector is through network requests, where an attacker could send maliciously crafted JSON data that triggers a StackOverflowError on the server.
The attack complexity is classified as low, requiring no special privileges or user interaction, which increases the risk profile. The impacts on availability are significant, as a successful attack could lead to the service becoming unresponsive, while confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations leveraging Jackson Core must recognize the real-world implications of this vulnerability. The ability for attackers to exploit this flaw could disrupt services that rely on JSON parsing, potentially affecting both internal and external users. The blast radius is considerable, particularly for applications handling large or complex JSON structures.
The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score and current exploitability indicates that organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to significant downtime and operational impact.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to Jackson Core 2.15.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Users should upgrade to version 2.15.0 or later to mitigate the risks associated with the StackOverflowError.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2025-52999, organizations must upgrade to Jackson Core version 2.15.0 or later. Additionally, users should avoid parsing input files from untrusted sources as a temporary measure until the upgrade can be completed. Implementing proper input validation and monitoring can also help mitigate the effects of this vulnerability.
For further guidance on security testing practices, organizations may consider leveraging penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indications of abnormal parsing errors, specifically StackOverflowError occurrences. Behavioral anomalies in application performance during JSON parsing should also be logged and analyzed. Network signatures for unexpected or malicious input formats can further assist in detecting potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-52999 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with deep parsing in software libraries. This vulnerability represents a trend where libraries must balance performance with security, especially when handling complex data structures.
Security teams should take this as a critical reminder to regularly audit their dependencies and ensure timely updates. Developing a proactive security strategy that includes regular vulnerability assessments can help organizations stay ahead of potential threats.
For further reading on vulnerability management programs, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program design to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, organizations should familiarize themselves with best practices for penetration testing methodology to further strengthen their defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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