CVE-2014-3558: Improper Authentication in Hibernate Validator
Summary
CVE-2014-3558: Improper Authentication in Hibernate Validator. Affects org.hibernate:hibernate-validator across 3 version ranges.
>= 4.1.0, < 4.2.1
>= 4.3.0, < 4.3.2
>= 5.0.0, < 5.1.2
Fixed in 4.2.1, 4.3.2 or 5.1.2, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- libhibernate-validator-java · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-3558 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Hibernate Validator is a popular Java framework used for data validation. It provides a set of annotations and APIs to validate objects and their properties. The framework is widely used in Java applications to ensure data integrity and consistency. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Hibernate Validator versions 4.1.0 to 4.2.1, 4.3.x to 4.3.2, and 5.x to 5.1.2 that allows attackers to bypass Java Security Manager (JSM) restrictions and execute restricted reflection calls. This vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious application.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2014-3558, resides in the ReflectionHelper class of Hibernate Validator. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can bypass the Java Security Manager (JSM) restrictions and execute restricted reflection calls. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or the execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects Hibernate Validator versions 4.1.0 to 4.2.1, 4.3.x to 4.3.2, and 5.x to 5.1.2.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 9.0.0.Beta3 as of 22 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 4.1.0, < 4.2.14.2.1 -
>= 4.3.0, < 4.3.24.3.2 -
>= 5.0.0, < 5.1.25.1.2
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to a fixed version of Hibernate Validator as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Hibernate Validator can allow attackers to bypass Java Security Manager (JSM) restrictions and execute restricted reflection calls. It is crucial to upgrade to a fixed version of Hibernate Validator to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data or the execution of arbitrary code. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.hibernate:hibernate-validator →
FAQ
Hibernate Validator is a Java framework used for data validation. It provides a set of annotations and APIs to validate objects and their properties.
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass Java Security Manager (JSM) restrictions and execute restricted reflection calls. It can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or the execution of arbitrary code.
The vulnerability affects Hibernate Validator versions 4.1.0 to 4.2.1, 4.3.x to 4.3.2, and 5.x to 5.1.2.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to a fixed version of Hibernate Validator.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to a fixed version of Hibernate Validator as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
References
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