Remote Data Exposure Vulnerability in libxstream-java: CVE-2021-39150
Summary
CVE-2021-39150: XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again. Affects libxstream-java across 2 version ranges.
< 1.4.15-3+deb11u1
< b9ad1c02724c2b1636a8794c8e1bcd630f46c0b3
Fixed in 1.4.15-3+deb11u1. How to fix ↓
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Background
libxstream-java is an open-source library that facilitates the serialization of Java objects to XML and vice versa. It is widely used in various applications for its simplicity and efficiency in handling XML data. However, certain versions of this library are vulnerable to a security flaw that could allow unauthorized access to internal resources, posing a significant risk to applications that do not implement proper security measures.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2021-39150 is a vulnerability in the libxstream-java library that allows remote attackers to exploit the input stream processing. By manipulating the input data, an attacker can access internal resources that should not be publicly available. This vulnerability affects Java runtime versions 8 to 14 and can lead to unauthorized data exposure. Users who have not configured XStream's security framework with a strict whitelist of required types are particularly at risk. The default blacklist provided by XStream may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.4.15-3+deb11u1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libxstream-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing a temporary workaround by restricting access to the affected application or service until the update can be applied. Additionally, review and tighten the input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input from being processed.
Conclusion
CVE-2021-39150 presents a significant risk to applications using vulnerable versions of the libxstream-java library. It is crucial for users to upgrade to the latest secure versions and implement proper security configurations to protect against potential data exposure. Regular monitoring and vulnerability management practices, such as those offered by Vulert, can help maintain application security.
See every vulnerability recorded for libxstream-java →
FAQ
CVE-2021-39150 is a vulnerability in the libxstream-java library that allows remote attackers to access internal resources by manipulating the input stream.
Affected versions include those prior to 1.4.15-3+deb11u1 for Debian 11 and prior to 1.4.18-1 for Debian 12 and 13.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is impacted by this vulnerability without any signup.
The CVSS score for CVE-2021-39150 is 8.5, indicating a high severity level.
If an immediate upgrade is not possible, implement temporary access restrictions and review input validation to mitigate the risk.
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