CVE-2021-39144
XStream is vulnerable to a Remote Command Execution attack
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Description
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.
Official description from the CVE record, published by GitHub_M. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See /security/cve/legal for the CVE license. View the record on cve.org
Key data
CVSS 3.1 High 8.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector: Network
The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet.
Attack complexity: High
The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation.
Privileges required: Low
A basic user account is needed.
User interaction: None
No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Changed
The impact can reach other components beyond the vulnerable one.
Confidentiality impact: High
Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.
Integrity impact: High
Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data.
Availability impact: High
Serious or total effect on availability.
| Metric | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. |
| Attack complexity | High | The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation. |
| Privileges required | Low | A basic user account is needed. |
| User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. |
| Scope | Changed | The impact can reach other components beyond the vulnerable one. |
| Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. |
| Integrity impact | High | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data. |
| Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. |
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EPSS
- Score
- 0.98124 (98.1% probability)
- Percentile
- 99.9%
- Scores of
- Nov 10, 2026
- Model
- v2026.06.15
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
- Name in the catalog
- XStream Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- Added to the catalog
- Mar 10, 2023
- Federal due date
- Mar 31, 2023
CISA assessment as of Feb 6, 2025
- Exploitation
- Recorded by CISA as active
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- total
Weakness (CWE)
Affected products
x-stream xstream
- affected: < 1.4.18
References
- github.com/x-stream/xstream/security/advisories/GHSA-j9h8-p…
- x-stream.github.io/CVE-2021-39144.html
- [debian-lts-announce] 20210929 [SECURITY] [DLA 2769-1] libxstream-java security update (lists.debian.org)mailing-list
- FEDORA-2021-fbad11014a (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2021-d894ca87dc (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2021-5e376c0ed9 (lists.fedoraproject.org)vendor-advisory
- DSA-5004 (debian.org)vendor-advisory
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210923-0003
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/169859/VMware-NSX-Manager-XSt…
Timeline
- ID reserved
- Record published
- Added to CISA KEV
- Record last updated
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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:25 UTC. Sources and licenses