CVE-2020-7961

Name: CVE-2020-7961
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-03-20T19:15:12.737+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 99.78%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-7961 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Liferay Portal prior to 7.2.1 CE GA2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via JSON web services (JSONWS).. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 99.78% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Liferay Portal prior to 7.2.1 CE GA2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via JSON web services (JSONWS).

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

99.78%

100.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by May 3, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Liferay	Liferay Portal	< 7.2.1

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157254/Liferay-Portal-Java-Unmarshalling-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158392/Liferay-Portal-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilitiesBroken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/id/117954271Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://research.checkpoint.com/2021/freakout-leveraging-newest-vulnerabilities-for-creating-a-botnet/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157254/Liferay-Portal-Java-Unmarshalling-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158392/Liferay-Portal-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilitiesBroken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/id/117954271Broken Link, Vendor Advisory
https://research.checkpoint.com/2021/freakout-leveraging-newest-vulnerabilities-for-creating-a-botnet/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-7961US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Mar 20, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-7961?

Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Liferay Portal prior to 7.2.1 CE GA2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via JSON web services (JSONWS).

How severe is CVE-2020-7961?

CVE-2020-7961 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.78% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7961?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-7961?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST