CVE-2026-90436: Apache Axis 1.x (EOL): unauthenticated remote class instantiation via SOAP fault exceptionName
Advisory generated from the CVE record, CISA, Exploit Observer and VEDAS: what it is, whether it is exploited, who is affected, and how to fix and detect it.
Generated by VEDAS. Scores as of 2026-11-11 15:49 UTC. Rebuilt every few hours from cve-scores, CISA KEV and vedas-signatures. How this works and its limits.
What it is
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** Deserialization of an inbound SOAP fault in Apache Axis 1.x allows unauthenticated remote class instantiation. When a SOAP <Fault> carries a <detail><exceptionName> element, Axis loads the named class and, if a String <data> element is also present, instantiates it through its String constructor before checking that it is an AxisFault. Loading alone runs the class’s static initializer. With a suitable class on the application’s classpath this leads to remote code execution. The fault is parsed while the engine resolves the target service, before any per-service handler chain runs, so authentication handlers configured on a service do not protect against it. This affects all Apache Axis 1.x versions through 1.4. As Axis 1 has been EOL we recommend you migrate to a different SOAP engine, such as Apache Axis 2/Java. Alternatively you could use a build of Axis with the patch from https://github.com/apache/axis-axis1-java/commit/41f3b4e8d04e310ca81f86b92630ab2c11d608bd applied. The Apache Axis project does not expect to create an Axis 1.x release fixing this problem.
Description quoted from the CVE record (assigned by apache, published 2026-11-06).
Weakness: CWE-470 Use of Externally-Controlled input to select classes or code (‘unsafe reflection’)
How it can be exploited
Exploitable over the network with low attack complexity needing no privileges and no user interaction. Impact: confidentiality high, integrity high, availability high. CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CISA assessment (SSVC): CISA has no evidence of exploitation. Automatable: yes. Technical impact: total.
Public exploit evidence (Exploit Observer)
Exploit Observer found 1 code repository naming this CVE.
Code repositories that name a CVE are often scanners, copies or fakes, and some are malware. Read the code before running anything.
See all 5 references on Exploit Observer
Live scores
- EPSS
- 0.011
some chance of attack soon - VEDAS
- 0.973
strong exploit evidence - On CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Detection rule
- No public rule yet
Who is affected
| Product | Affected | Not affected |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation Apache Axis 1.x (EOL) (axis:axis) | up to and including 1.4 | Not stated |
| Apache Software Foundation Apache Axis 1.x (EOL) (org.apache.axis:axis) | up to and including 1.4 | Not stated |
| Apache Software Foundation Apache Axis 1.x (EOL) | from aac718c60354 before 41f3b4e8d04e (git commit) | Not stated |
Version ranges exactly as the CVE record states them. “Before X” means X is the first fixed version.
How to fix it
Vendor guidance:
- https://github.com/apache/axis-axis1-java/commit/41f3b4e8d04e310ca81f86b92630ab2c11d608bd (patch)
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8slf0j9gz35z56t0glt5h0ncwlbn4bdz (vendor-advisory)
How to detect it
There is no open VEDAS detection rule for this bug yet. It is listed on the detection gaps page if CISA has confirmed attacks.
References
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://github.com/apache/axis-axis1-java/commit/41f3b4e8d04e310ca81f86b92630ab2c11d608bd (patch)
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/8slf0j9gz35z56t0glt5h0ncwlbn4bdz (vendor-advisory)
Other references
Other databases
Where this comes from
This advisory is generated automatically by VEDAS from: CVE.org record, cve-scores (EPSS and VEDAS), Exploit Observer. Text in quotes is reproduced from the source; everything else is a fixed template filled with source fields. Nothing here is written by a language model. Check the vendor advisory before acting, and read how VEDAS and Exploit Observer work, and their limits.
Supporting partners
