How severe is CVE-2023-51518?

CVE-2023-51518 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-51518 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (64th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-51518?

CVE-2023-51518 primarily affects Apache James. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-51518?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2023-51518 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2023-51518 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-0689.

When was CVE-2023-51518 published?

CVE-2023-51518 was published on 2024-02-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-51518

CVE-2023-51518 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache James with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-502.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (64th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2024-0689
Weakness: CWE-502
Affected product: Apache James
Published: 2024-02-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Apache James prior to version 3.7.5 and 3.8.0 exposes a JMX endpoint on localhost subject to pre-authentication deserialisation of untrusted data. Given a deserialisation gadjet, this could be leveraged as part of an exploit chain that could result in privilege escalation. Note that by default JMX endpoint is only bound locally. We recommend users to: - Upgrade to a non-vulnerable Apache James version - Run Apache James isolated from other processes (docker - dedicated virtual machine) - If possible turn off JMX

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-51518?: Apache James prior to version 3.7.5 and 3.8.0 exposes a JMX endpoint on localhost subject to pre-authentication deserialisation of untrusted data. Given a deserialisation gadjet, this could be leveraged as part of an exploit chain that could result in privilege escalation. Note that by default JMX endpoint is only bound locally. We recommend users to: - Upgrade to a non-vulnerable Apache James version - Run Apache James isolated from other processes (docker - dedicated virtual machine) - If possible turn off JMX
How severe is CVE-2023-51518?: CVE-2023-51518 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-51518 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (64th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-51518?: CVE-2023-51518 primarily affects Apache James. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-51518?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2023-51518 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2023-51518 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-0689.
When was CVE-2023-51518 published?: CVE-2023-51518 was published on 2024-02-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://lists.apache.org/thread/wbdm61ch6l0kzjn6nnfmyqlng82qz0or

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:apache:james:3.7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:apache:james:3.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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