Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2021-39144
The short answer
CVE-2021-39144 affects x-stream xstream and is rated high (CVSS 8.5). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-03-10: attackers are using it, so patch it first. Fixed versions are published for xstream (1.4.18).
What it is
XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again. In affected versions this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker has sufficient rights to execute commands of the host only by manipulating the processed input stream. No user is affected, who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's security framework with a whitelist limited to the minimal required types. XStream 1.4.18 uses no longer a blacklist by default, since it cannot be secured for general purpose.
Severity
8.5 high
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Mar 10, 2023
Federal due date Mar 31, 2023
EPSS, next 30 days
98%
Higher than 100% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected packages and fixed versions
| Package | Ecosystem | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream | Maven | 1.4.18 | GHSA-j9h8-phrw-h4fh |
Is it in your code? Drop your lockfile into the free vulnerability check, or let vulnerability watch check your repository every day and open the upgrade as a pull request.
Affected products
xstream. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- github.com/x-stream/xstream/security/advisories/GHSA-j9h8-phrw-h4fh Vendor Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/09/msg00017.html Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/22KVR6B5IZP3BGQ3HPWIO2FWWCKT3DHP/ Broken LinkMailing ListRelease Notes
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PVPHZA7VW2RRSDCOIPP2W6O5ND254TU7/ Broken LinkMailing ListRelease Notes
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/QGXIU3YDPG6OGTDHMBLAFN7BPBERXREB/ Broken LinkMailing ListRelease Notes
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210923-0003/ Third Party Advisory
- www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5004 Third Party Advisory
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html PatchThird Party Advisory
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html PatchThird Party Advisory
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html PatchThird Party Advisory
- x-stream.github.io/CVE-2021-39144.html ExploitVendor Advisory
- github.com/x-stream/xstream/security/advisories/GHSA-j9h8-phrw-h4fh Vendor Advisory
Questions
Is CVE-2021-39144 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-39144 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-03-10, with a federal remediation due date of 2023-03-31.
How do I fix CVE-2021-39144?
Upgrade to a fixed version: com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream (Maven) 1.4.18. CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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Every vendor in CISA's KEV catalog, with its count.
XStream exploited vulnerabilities
Everything CISA lists as exploited for XStream.
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