Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- EPSS is 77.23% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2021
CVE-2021-29505High confidence
XStream is vulnerable to a Remote Command Execution attack
x-stream · xstream
Official source article: GitHub GHSA-7CHV-RRW6-W6FC ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
7.5HighCVSS 3.1
Within 7 days
Patch availableHigh technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityHigh→Operational priority:High, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs x-stream xstream and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Distribution package intelligence
4 package statesRelease-specific package status
Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
| Distribution release | Source package | Vendor state | Fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debian trixietrixie · source | libxstream-java | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.4.15-3 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian bookwormbookworm · source | libxstream-java | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.4.15-3 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian forkyforky · source | libxstream-java | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.4.15-3 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian sidsid · source | libxstream-java | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 1.4.15-3 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
Open-source package ranges1 source-attributed range
These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.
| Ecosystem and package | Affected range | First fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| mavencom.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream | < 1.4.17 | 1.4.17 | GitHub advisory ↗upstream repository advisory · 30 May 2025 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2021-29505 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product SecurityXStream: remote command execution attack by manipulating the processed input stream
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- xstream as a component of Red Hat BPM Suite 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat Integration Camel Quarkus 1
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss A-MQ 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss BRMS 5
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss BRMS 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Data Grid 7
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Data Virtualization 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Fuse 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Fuse Service Works 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss SOA Platform 5
- Summary
- A flaw was found in XStream. By manipulating the processed input stream, a remote attacker may be able to obtain sufficient rights to execute commands. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
- Remediation
- For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Patch available01
What, why and how
XStream is software for serializing Java objects to XML and back again. A vulnerability in XStream versions prior to 1.4.17 may allow a remote attacker has sufficient rights to execute commands of the host only by manipulating the processed input stream. No user who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's security framework with a whitelist limited to the minimal required types is affected. The vulnerability is patched in version 1.4.17.
What
XStream is software for serializing Java objects to XML and back again. A vulnerability in XStream versions prior to 1.4.17 may allow a remote attacker has sufficient rights to execute commands of the host only by manipulating the processed input stream. No user who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's security framework with a whitelist limited to the minimal required types is affected. The vulnerability is patched in version 1.4.17.
Why
Untrusted data can cross into a code-evaluation path and be interpreted as executable instructions.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
What
XStream is software for serializing Java objects to XML and back again. A vulnerability in XStream versions prior to 1.4.17 may allow a remote attacker has sufficient rights to execute commands of the host only by manipulating the processed input stream. No user who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's security framework with a whitelist limited to the minimal required types is affected. The vulnerability is patched in version 1.4.17.
Why
Untrusted data can cross into a code-evaluation path and be interpreted as executable instructions.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- a network path → Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') → execute code or commands in the affected security context
- Attack surface
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low: a basic authenticated account is required
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
- Security boundary
- Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-94 ↗
CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'). The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Patch available
- Affected
- xstream as a component of Red Hat BPM Suite 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat Integration Camel Quarkus 1
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss A-MQ 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss BRMS 5
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss BRMS 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Data Grid 7
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Data Virtualization 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Fuse 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss Fuse Service Works 6
- xstream as a component of Red Hat JBoss SOA Platform 5
- Fixed
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-javadoc-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-javadoc-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-javadoc-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7)
- xstream-javadoc-0:1.3.1-14.el7_9.noarch as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7)
- RHDM 7.12.0
- RHPAM 7.12.0
- Red Hat Data Grid 8.3.0
- Red Hat Fuse 7.11
- Red Hat Integration
- Red Hat Integration Camel Quarkus 2
- Action
- For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 28 May 2021 · Last source change 29 May 2025, 23:30 UTC · CWE-94 · Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2021-0996
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.Red Hat Product Security ↗
- Before
- < 1.4.17 · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
- After
- < 1.4.17 · Fixed: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
Fixed release recorded from official guidance
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.