System.Text.Json 8.0.0.4 Vulnerability: A Solution

I was facing a very strange issue where after updating a NuGet package (System.Text.Json from 8.0.0.4 to 8.0.0.5) and targeting .NET Framework 4.8.1, the project wouldn’t build correctly. Despite updating the bindingRedirect in the web.config file, the changes seemed to revert.

Here’s what worked for me:

1. Unload and Reload the Project:
   • Right-click on the problematic project in the Solution Explorer and select “Unload Project.”
   • Right-click on the unloaded project again and select “Reload Project.”
2. Clean and Rebuild Solution:
   • Clean the solution to remove any cached build artifacts.
   • Rebuild the solution to force a complete rebuild and ensure that the latest dependencies are used.
3. Check for Conflicting Dependencies:
   • Use a tool like NuGet Package Explorer to analyze your project’s dependencies and identify any potential conflicts.
   • Update System.Text.Json (8.0.4 >> 8.0.5)
   • Update EntityFramework (6.4.4 net48 >>6.5.1 net481)

Note on Entity Framework Compatibility:

It’s essential to ensure that the version of Entity Framework you’re using is compatible with the new System.Text.Json version. In my case, I also updated Entity Framework from 6.4.1 to 6.5.1, which resolved the issue. Check for any known compatibility issues or required updates.

By following these steps and considering the potential impact on Entity Framework, I was able to successfully update the System.Text.Json package and resolve the build issue. If you encounter similar problems, I hope this solution proves helpful.