CVE-2021-39148Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote code execution via trusted type metadata

Published Aug 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Deserialization in XStream 1.4.17 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted input stream. During fromXML unmarshalling, XStream trusts attacker-controlled type metadata, instantiates injected object graphs, and follows a gadget chain that loads remote code. The path requires a hosting application to pass attacker-controlled data to an instance without a minimal type allowlist, after which code runs with the Java process's permissions.

CVSS severity8.5
High
EPSS probability4.74%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization in XStream 1.4.17 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted input stream. During fromXML unmarshalling, XStream trusts attacker-controlled type metadata, instantiates injected object graphs, and follows a gadget chain that loads remote code. The path requires a hosting application to pass attacker-controlled data to an instance without a minimal type allowlist, after which code runs with the Java process's permissions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39148
Published
Aug 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
XStream
Product
XStream
Classifications
CWE-502
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 1.4.18

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

XStream · XStreamversion=< 1.4.18

Published CVSS scores

8.5GitHubCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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