> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://angelica.gitbook.io/hacktricks/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://angelica.gitbook.io/hacktricks/pentesting-web/deserialization/basic-java-deserialization-objectinputstream-readobject.md).
# Basic Java Deserialization (ObjectInputStream, readObject)
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In this POST it's going to be explained an example using `java.io.Serializable`.
## Serializable
The Java `Serializable` interface (`java.io.Serializable` is a marker interface your classes must implement if they are to be **serialized** and **deserialized**. Java object serialization (writing) is done with the [ObjectOutputStream](http://tutorials.jenkov.com/java-io/objectoutputstream.html) and deserialization (reading) is done with the [ObjectInputStream](http://tutorials.jenkov.com/java-io/objectinputstream.html).
Lets see an example with a **class Person** which is **serializable**. This class **overwrites the readObject** function, so when **any object** of this **class** is **deserialized** this **function** is going to be **executed**.\
In the example, the **readObject function** of the class Person calls the function `eat()` of his pet and the function `eat()` of a Dog (for some reason) calls a **calc.exe**. **We are going to see how to serialize and deserialize a Person object to execute this calculator:**
**The following example is from** [**https://medium.com/@knownsec404team/java-deserialization-tool-gadgetinspector-first-glimpse-74e99e493649**](https://medium.com/@knownsec404team/java-deserialization-tool-gadgetinspector-first-glimpse-74e99e493649)
```java
import java.io.Serializable;
import java.io.*;
public class TestDeserialization {
interface Animal {
public void eat();
}
//Class must implements Serializable to be serializable
public static class Cat implements Animal,Serializable {
@Override
public void eat() {
System.out.println("cat eat fish");
}
}
//Class must implements Serializable to be serializable
public static class Dog implements Animal,Serializable {
@Override
public void eat() {
try {
Runtime.getRuntime().exec("calc");
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
System.out.println("dog eat bone");
}
}
//Class must implements Serializable to be serializable
public static class Person implements Serializable {
private Animal pet;
public Person(Animal pet){
this.pet = pet;
}
//readObject implementation, will call the readObject from ObjectInputStream and then call pet.eat()
private void readObject(java.io.ObjectInputStream stream)
throws IOException, ClassNotFoundException {
pet = (Animal) stream.readObject();
pet.eat();
}
}
public static void GeneratePayload(Object instance, String file)
throws Exception {
//Serialize the constructed payload and write it to the file
File f = new File(file);
ObjectOutputStream out = new ObjectOutputStream(new FileOutputStream(f));
out.writeObject(instance);
out.flush();
out.close();
}
public static void payloadTest(String file) throws Exception {
//Read the written payload and deserialize it
ObjectInputStream in = new ObjectInputStream(new FileInputStream(file));
Object obj = in.readObject();
System.out.println(obj);
in.close();
}
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
// Example to call Person with a Dog
Animal animal = new Dog();
Person person = new Person(animal);
GeneratePayload(person,"test.ser");
payloadTest("test.ser");
// Example to call Person with a Cat
//Animal animal = new Cat();
//Person person = new Person(animal);
//GeneratePayload(person,"test.ser");
//payloadTest("test.ser");
}
}
```
### Conclusion
As you can see in this very basic example, the "vulnerability" here appears because the **readObject** function is **calling other vulnerable functions**.
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