# CVE-2026-118636: Apache MINA JavaNativeMessageDecoder unsafe deserialization RCE

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118636-unsupported-when-assigned-javanativemessagedecoder-in-the-mina-3  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-31. Updated: 2026-10-31  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118636 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-10-31

Apache MINA is a network application framework used for building networked services. The JavaNativeMessageDecoder in MINA 3.0 unsafely deserializes untrusted data without filtering, allowing a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code through Java object gadget chains. This can lead to complete system compromise for applications processing messages from untrusted network peers.

Technologies: [Apache Mina](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/mina). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118636 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118636 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118636?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 31 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Mina 3.0.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118636?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Upgrade to Apache MINA 2.2.X branch, as the 3.0.0 branch is inactive and no patch is planned for this issue. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-118636 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118636?** Check whether you run Apache Mina at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix


Upgrade to Apache MINA 2.2.X branch, as the 3.0.0 branch is inactive and no patch is planned for this issue.

## Technical details

The JavaNativeMessageDecoder in Apache MINA 3.0's codec module calls ObjectInputStream.readObject() on frame bytes without implementing a class filter, enabling gadget-chain remote code execution. An attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted serialized Java objects to an application using this decoder with untrusted network peers. The vulnerability requires network access but no authentication, and the MINA 3.0 branch is no longer maintained; users are advised to migrate to MINA 2.2.X.

## Affected products

- Apache MINA 3.0.0

## Timeline

- 2026-10-31: disclosed

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/h76nwcrkvsffhsk2kq6cjzc6srtnty7x](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/h76nwcrkvsffhsk2kq6cjzc6srtnty7x)

## Related threats

- [Apache MINA filter bypass via unpatched resolveProxyClass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94301-the-fix-for-zdres-232-resolveproxyclass-not-overridden)
- [Apache MINA CompressionFilter decompression bomb DoS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-47321-the-compressionfilter-class-uses-zlib-to-deflate-and-inflate-data)
- [The fix for was not applied to the 2.1.X and 2.2.X branches. Here was the original issue description: Apache MINA'](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42779-apache-mina-vulnerable-to-deserialization-of-untrusted-data)
- [The fix for was not applied to the 2.1.X and 2.2.X branches. Here was the original issue description: The fix for CVE-202](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42778-apache-mina-vulnerable-to-deserialization-of-untrusted-data)
- [The fix for in Apache MINA AbstractIoBuffer.getObject() was incomplete. The classname allowlist of classes allowed to be dese](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41409-apache-mina-vulnerable-to-deserialization-of-untrusted-data)