CVE-2021-39146: XStream is vulnerable to an Arbitrary Code Execution attack

Published Aug 22, 2021
·
Updated

A flaw was found in xstream, a simple library used to serialize objects to XML and back again. This flaw allows a remote attacker to load and execute arbitrary code from a remote host by manipulating the processed input stream. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality, integrity, as well as system availability.

Other sources

XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again. In affected versions this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to load and execute arbitrary code from a remote 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.

Affected Software

40 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/xstream<0:1.3.1-16.el7_9
0:1.3.1-16.el7_9
debian/libxstream-java
1.4.11.1-1+deb10u31.4.11.1-1+deb10u41.4.15-3+deb11u21.4.20-1
redhat/xstream<1.4.18
1.4.18
Xstream Project Xstream<1.4.18
Fedoraproject Fedora=33
Fedoraproject Fedora=34
Fedoraproject Fedora=35
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Debian Debian Linux=10.0
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
NetApp Snapmanager Oracle
NetApp Snapmanager Sap
Oracle Business Activity Monitoring=12.2.1.4.0
Oracle Commerce Guided Search=11.3.2
Oracle Communications Billing And Revenue Management Elastic Charging Engine=11.3
Oracle Communications Billing And Revenue Management Elastic Charging Engine=12.0
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Automated Test Suite=1.9.0
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Binding Support Function=1.10.0
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Policy=1.14.0
Oracle Communications Unified Inventory Management=7.3.4
Oracle Communications Unified Inventory Management=7.3.5
Oracle Communications Unified Inventory Management=7.4.0
Oracle Communications Unified Inventory Management=7.4.1
Oracle Communications Unified Inventory Management=7.4.2
Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service=16.0.6
Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service=17.0.2
Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service=18.0.3
Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service=19.0.2
Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service=20.0.1
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.2.0.2.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.2.0.3.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.3.0.1.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.3.0.6.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.4.0.0.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.4.0.2.0
Oracle Utilities Framework=4.4.0.3.0
Oracle Utilities Testing Accelerator=6.0.0.1.1
Oracle WebCenter Portal=12.2.1.3.0
Oracle WebCenter Portal=12.2.1.4.0
XStream XStream<1.4.18

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/xstream to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:1.3.1-16.el7_9
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/libxstream-java to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.4.11.1-1+deb10u3Fixed in 1.4.11.1-1+deb10u4Fixed in 1.4.15-3+deb11u2Fixed in 1.4.20-1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/xstream to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.4.18
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade xstream to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.4.18
  5. Configuration

    Set up XStream's security framework and configure a whitelist limited to the minimal required types.

    XStream security framework whitelist limited to the minimal required types = enabled (whitelist limited to minimal required types)

Event History

Aug 22, 2021
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Aug 23, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:05 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:05 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 25, 2021
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·07:08 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2021-39146?

CVE-2021-39146 is a vulnerability in XStream, a library used to serialize objects to XML and back again.

2

How does CVE-2021-39146 impact users?

CVE-2021-39146 allows a remote attacker to load and execute arbitrary code from a remote host by manipulating the processed input stream.

3

Who is affected by CVE-2021-39146?

Users of XStream versions prior to 1.4.18 or 1.3.1-16.el7_9 are affected by CVE-2021-39146.

4

How can CVE-2021-39146 be fixed?

To fix CVE-2021-39146, users should update XStream to version 1.4.18 or 1.3.1-16.el7_9, depending on the affected version.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2021-39146?

More information about CVE-2021-39146 can be found at the following references: [Link 1](https://github.com/x-stream/xstream/security/advisories/GHSA-p8pq-r894-fm8f), [Link 2](https://x-stream.github.io/CVE-2021-39146.html), [Link 3](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1997778)

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203