CVE-2026-27830
What it is
c3p0, a JDBC Connection pooling library, is vulnerable to attack via maliciously crafted Java-serialized objects and `javax.naming.Reference` instances. Several c3p0 `ConnectionPoolDataSource` implementations have a property called `userOverridesAsString` which conceptually represents a `Map<String,Map<String,String>>`. Prior to v0.12.0, that property was maintained as a hex-encoded serialized object. Any attacker able to reset this property, on an existing `ConnectionPoolDataSource` or via maliciously crafted serialized objects or `javax.naming.Reference` instances could be tailored execute unexpected code on the application's `CLASSPATH`. The danger of this vulnerability was strongly magnified by vulnerabilities in c3p0's main dependency, mchange-commons-java. This library includes code that mirrors early implementations of JNDI functionality, including ungated support for remote `factoryClassLocation` values. Attackers could set c3p0's `userOverridesAsString` hex-encoded serialized objects that include objects "indirectly serialized" via JNDI references. Deserialization of those objects and dereferencing of the embedded `javax.naming.Reference` objects could provoke download and execution of malicious code from a remote `factoryClassLocation`. Although hazard presented by c3p0's vulnerabilites are exarcerbated by vulnerabilities in mchange-commons-java, use of Java-serialized-object hex as the format for a writable Java-Bean property, of objects that may be exposed across JNDI interfaces, represents a serious independent fragility. The `userOverridesAsString` property of c3p0 `ConnectionPoolDataSource` classes has been reimplemented to use a safe CSV-based format, rather than rely upon potentially dangerous Java object deserialization. c3p0-0.12.0+ and above depend upon mchange-commons-java 0.4.0+, which gates support for remote `factoryClassLocation` values by configuration parameters that default to restrictive values. c3p0 additionally enforces the new mchange-commons-java `com.mchange.v2.naming.nameGuardClassName` to prevent injection of unexpected, potentially remote JNDI names. There is no supported workaround for versions of c3p0 prior to 0.12.0.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited from the same network segment with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 8.9 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-94 · Code injection
- Record status
- Deferred
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 8.9
- Attack vector
- Adjacent network
- Complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-27830.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-27830. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/swaldman/c3p0/commit/e14cbd8166e423e2e9a9d6f08b2add3433492d6e
- https://github.com/swaldman/c3p0/security/advisories/GHSA-5476-xc4j-rqcv
References
- https://github.com/swaldman/c3p0/commit/e14cbd8166e423e2e9a9d6f08b2add3433492d6e
- https://github.com/swaldman/c3p0/security/advisories/GHSA-5476-xc4j-rqcv
- https://mogwailabs.de/en/blog/2025/02/c3p0-you-little-rascal
- https://www.mchange.com/projects/c3p0/#configuring_security
- https://www.mchange.com/projects/c3p0/#security-note
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18054
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18055
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:18059
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:28385
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3890
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:4285
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-27830
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2442908
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-27830.json