dd-trace-java: Unsafe deserialization in RMI instrumentation may lead to remote code execution
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-502.
Summary
dd-trace-java is a Datadog APM client for Java. In versions of dd-trace-java 0.40.0 through prior to 1.60.2, the RMI instrumentation registered a custom endpoint that deserialized incoming data without applying serialization filters. On JDK version 16 and earlier, an attacker with network access to a JMX or RMI port on an instrumented JVM could exploit this to potentially achieve remote code execution. All three of the following conditions must be true to exploit this vulnerability: First, dd-trace-java is attached as a Java agent (`-javaagent`) on Java 16 or earlier. Second, a JMX/RMI port has been explicitly configured via `-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port` and is network-reachable, Third, a gadget-chain-compatible library is present on the classpath. For JDK >= 17, no action is required, but upgrading is strongly encouraged. For JDK >= 8u121 < JDK 17, upgrade to dd-trace-java version 1.60.3 or later. For JDK < 8u121 and earlier where serialization filters are not available, apply the workaround. The workaround is to set the following environment variable to disable the RMI integration: `DD_INTEGRATION_RMI_ENABLED=false`.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DataDog | dd-trace-java | 0.40.0 to before 1.60.3 | 1.60.3 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent (Maven) | 0.40.0 to before 1.60.3 | 1.60.3 | Patch available | GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2 |
- dd-trace-java VendorDataDog Affected 0.40.0 to before 1.60.3 Fixed in 1.60.3 Patch available CNA
- com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent (Maven) Vendor— Affected 0.40.0 to before 1.60.3 Fixed in 1.60.3 Patch available GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2
Remediation
- Fix · CNA dd-trace-java (DataDog) Fixed in 1.60.3
- Fix · GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2 com.datadoghq:dd-java-agent (Maven) Fixed in 1.60.3 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-33728
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2
References
Sources
- CVE-2026-33728 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-33728 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-579q-h82j-r5v2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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