CVE-2026-41586 — Vulnerability in...
CRITICAL
fabric-sdk-java has ObjectInputStream.readObject() without ObjectInputFilter, which allows Java deserialization RCE
Published April 29, 2026Updated May 20, 2026Source: osv
Summary
## Summary
This advisory covers the deprecated `fabric-sdk-java` client SDK. `Channel.java` implements `readObject()` and exposes `deSerializeChannel()` which call `ObjectInputStream.readObject()` on untrusted byte arrays without configuring an `ObjectInputFilter`. This is the classic Java deserialization RCE pattern.
**Note:** `fabric-sdk-java` is deprecated and maintained in https://github.com/hyperledger/fabric-sdk-java. Filing here as that repo does not have private vulnerability reporting enabled.
## Affected Code
```java
// src/main/java/org/hyperledger/fabric/sdk/Channel.java
private void readObject(ObjectInputStream in) throws IOException, ClassNotFoundException {
in.defaultReadObject(); // No ObjectInputFilter configured
}
public Channel deSerializeChannel(byte[] channelBytes)
throws IOException, ClassNotFoundException, InvalidArgumentException {
ObjectInputStream ois = new ObjectInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(channelBytes));
Channel channel = (Channel) ois.readObject(); // Untrusted bytes deserialized
return channel;
}
```
## Attack Vector
An attacker who can supply crafted serialized Channel bytes to the client application — for example, by compromising a local channel file, injecting data through an application that accepts Channel bytes from external sources, or exploiting a separate write primitive — can achieve RCE via gadget chain exploitation when deSerializeChannel() processes those bytes. The risk is highest in deployments that accept Channel data from sources outside the client's direct control. Note: channel data is not transmitted from Fabric peers; this is a client-side deserialization surface.
## Proof of Concept
```java
// Generate malicious payload with ysoserial:
// java -jar ysoserial.jar CommonsCollections6 "touch /tmp/pwned" > malicious_channel.ser
// Victim code:
byte[] maliciousBytes = Files.readAllBytes(Paths.get("malicious_channel.ser"));
Channel channel = client.deSerializeChannel(maliciousBytes); // RCE fires here
```
## Notes on Deprecation
fabric-sdk-java is deprecated as of Hyperledger Fabric v2.5 (replaced by `org.hyperledger.fabric:fabric-gateway`). However, organizations that have not yet migrated remain fully exposed. Automated dependency scanners (Snyk, Dependabot) cannot alert users without a published GHSA. This advisory is filed to ensure those users are notified and directed to migrate.
## Fix
For the deprecated SDK: add `ObjectInputFilter` to whitelist only expected classes:
```java
ObjectInputFilter filter = ObjectInputFilter.Config.createFilter(
"org.hyperledger.fabric.sdk.*;java.util.*;java.lang.*;!*"
);
ois.setObjectInputFilter(filter);
```
**The recommended remediation is migration to `org.hyperledger.fabric:fabric-gateway`**, which does not use Java serialization.
## Resources
- CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
- Migration guide: https://hyperledger.github.io/fabric-gateway/
## Credits
Found by [Martin Brodeur (brodmart)](https://github.com/brodmart) via independent security research.
Advisory Timeline
- First published April 29, 2026 (166 days ago).
- Last revised May 20, 2026 — 21 days after initial publication.
Affected Packages (1)
Affects 1 ecosystem: maven (1).
| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed In |
|---|---|---|---|
| org.hyperledger.fabric-sdk-java:fabric-sdk-java | maven | 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.1.0, 1.1.0-alpha (+54 more) | Range-based data available |
Vulnerability Classification
Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers for this vulnerability type.
- CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted DataMITRE
CVSS Score Breakdown
What the CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) 9.8 score means for each attack dimension.
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
—
Confidentiality
—
Integrity
—
Availability
—
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
References
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-41586?
- fabric-sdk-java has ObjectInputStream.readObject() without ObjectInputFilter, which allows Java deserialization RCE This vulnerability has been assigned a severity rating of CRITICAL (CVSS score: 9.8/10).
- How do I check if my project is affected by CVE-2026-41586?
- CVE-2026-41586 affects org.hyperledger.fabric-sdk-java:fabric-sdk-java. Use GeekWala's free vulnerability scanner to check your dependencies against CVE-2026-41586 and 200,000+ other known vulnerabilities.
Severity & Exploitability
CVSS Score
9.8
Exploitation is straightforward and causes maximum impact. Patch immediately.
Also Known As
GHSA-prf8-cf2x-rhx7
BIT-hyperledger-fabric-orderer-2026-41586
BIT-hyperledger-fabric-peer-2026-41586
BIT-hyperledger-fabric-tools-2026-41586
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