CVE-2021-37714: Uncaught Exception in jsoup
Summary
CVE-2021-37714: Uncaught Exception in jsoup. Affects org.jsoup:jsoup versions < 1.14.2. Fixed in 1.14.2. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- jsoup · Debian:11
The same CVE-2021-37714 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
The package under scrutiny is org.jsoup:jsoup, which is a Java library used for parsing HTML and XML documents. It provides a convenient API for extracting and manipulating data from these documents. However, versions prior to 1.14.2 are vulnerable to a denial of service (DOS) attack. If the parser is run on user-supplied input, an attacker can supply content that causes the parser to get stuck, slow down, or throw unexpected exceptions, leading to a potential DOS attack.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in org.jsoup:jsoup (CVE-2021-37714) allows attackers to exploit the parser by providing malicious input. This can result in the parser getting stuck in an infinite loop, slowing down the parsing process, or throwing unexpected exceptions. These effects can be leveraged to launch a denial of service attack, impacting the availability and performance of the application. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 1.23.2 as of 23 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.14.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, users can implement certain workarounds to mitigate the vulnerability. One approach is to rate limit input parsing, ensuring that the parser does not process an excessive amount of data. Additionally, users should limit the size of inputs based on system resources to prevent resource exhaustion. Another recommended workaround is to implement thread watchdogs to cap and timeout parse runtimes, preventing the parser from getting stuck indefinitely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability in org.jsoup:jsoup (CVE-2021-37714) exposes users to potential denial of service attacks. Upgrading to version 1.14.2 or implementing the recommended workarounds will help mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.jsoup:jsoup →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows attackers to launch denial of service attacks by exploiting the parser in org.jsoup:jsoup. This can result in the application becoming unresponsive, slowing down, or throwing unexpected exceptions.
Users who utilize org.jsoup:jsoup to parse untrusted HTML or XML inputs are affected by this vulnerability. If the parser is run on user-supplied content, it can be exploited by attackers.
Yes, the vulnerability has been patched in version 1.14.2 of org.jsoup:jsoup. Users should upgrade to this version to ensure they are protected against the exploit.
The recommended solution is to upgrade to the latest version of org.jsoup:jsoup. However, if immediate upgrading is not possible, users can implement workarounds such as rate limiting input parsing and implementing thread watchdogs to mitigate the vulnerability.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using just the pom.xml file without requiring access to the code or installation.
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