BlackTreeCVE Intelligence
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Full vulnerability report · 2022
CVE-2021-43859High confidence

Denial of Service by injecting highly recursive collections or maps in XStream

x-stream · xstream

Official source article: GitHub GHSA-RMR5-CPV2-VGJF ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.

7.5HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 3 Nov 2025

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
  • EPSS is 7.93% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs x-stream xstream and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

5 package states
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 releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcelibxstream-javaVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.4.19-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcelibxstream-javaVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.4.19-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcelibxstream-javaVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.4.19-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcelibxstream-javaVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.4.19-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · standard archivelibxstream-javaUnder evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.Not published in this feedCanonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 5 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 packageAffected rangeFirst fixed versionEvidence
mavencom.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream< 1.4.191.4.19GitHub advisory ↗upstream repository advisory · 4 Nov 2025
Direct vendor intelligence

Authoritative 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.

1 current
CVE-2021-43859 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securityxstream: Injecting highly recursive collections or maps can cause a DoS
19 known affected

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 Data Grid 8
  • xstream as a component of Red Hat Decision Manager 7
  • xstream as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • xstream-javadoc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • xstream.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • xstream as a component of Red Hat Integration Camel K 1
  • 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
Summary
XStream is an open source java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.19 may allow a remote attacker to allocate 100% CPU time on the target system depending on CPU type or parallel execution of such a payload resulting in a denial of service only by manipulating the processed input stream. XStream 1.4.19 monitors and accumulates the time it takes to add elements to collections and throws an exception if a set threshold is exceeded. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible. Users unable to upgrade may set the NO_REFERENCE mode to prevent recursion. See GHSA-rmr5-cpv2-vgjf for further details on a workaround if an upgrade is not possible.
Remediation
For OpenShift Container Platform 3.11 see the following documentation, which will be updated shortly for this release, for important instructions on how to upgrade your cluster and fully apply this asynchronous errata update: https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/release_notes/ocp_3_11_release_notes.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/updating/updating-cluster-cli.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/upgrading/index.html
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2022-1176

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

XStream is an open source java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.19 may allow a remote attacker to allocate 100% CPU time on the target system depending on CPU type or parallel execution of such a payload resulting in a denial of service only by manipulating the processed input stream. XStream 1.4.19 monitors and accumulates the time it takes to add elements to collections and throws an exception if a set threshold is exceeded. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible. Users unable to upgrade may set the NO_REFERENCE mode to prevent recursion. See GHSA-rmr5-cpv2-vgjf for further details on a workaround if an upgrade is not possible.

What

XStream is an open source java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.19 may allow a remote attacker to allocate 100% CPU time on the target system depending on CPU type or parallel execution of such a payload resulting in a denial of service only by manipulating the processed input stream. XStream 1.4.19 monitors and accumulates the time it takes to add elements to collections and throws an exception if a set threshold is exceeded. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible. Users unable to upgrade may set the NO_REFERENCE mode to prevent recursion. See GHSA-rmr5-cpv2-vgjf for further details on a workaround if an upgrade is not possible.

Why

The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

What

XStream is an open source java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.19 may allow a remote attacker to allocate 100% CPU time on the target system depending on CPU type or parallel execution of such a payload resulting in a denial of service only by manipulating the processed input stream. XStream 1.4.19 monitors and accumulates the time it takes to add elements to collections and throws an exception if a set threshold is exceeded. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible. Users unable to upgrade may set the NO_REFERENCE mode to prevent recursion. See GHSA-rmr5-cpv2-vgjf for further details on a workaround if an upgrade is not possible.

Why

The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

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
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Uncontrolled Resource Consumption → disrupt the affected service
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
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-400 ↗

CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

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:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Common 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.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.INoneIntegrity impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedDenial of serviceCWE-400Public exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

BSI · German · WID-SEC-2026-0180Dell Data Protection Advisor: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Dell Data Protection Advisor ausnutzen, um beliebigen Code auszuführen, einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu erzeugen, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu umgehen und nicht näher spezifizierte Angriffe zu starten.

Official advisory ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-1813Oracle Communications Applications: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Oracle Communications Applications ausnutzen, um die Vertraulichkeit, Integrität und Verfügbarkeit zu gefährden.

Official advisory ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-1017Oracle Financial Services Applications: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein entfernter, anonymer Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Oracle Financial Services Applications ausnutzen, um die Vertraulichkeit, Integrität und Verfügbarkeit zu gefährden.

Official advisory ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2022-0607Red Hat FUSE: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein entfernter, anonymer, authentisierter oder lokaler Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Red Hat FUSE ausnutzen, um vertrauliche Informationen offenzulegen, beliebigen Code auszuführen, einen Denial of Service Zustand herbeizuführen, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu umgehen, Daten und Informationen zu manipulieren und seine Privilegien zu erweitern.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20220202Security Bulletin 02 Feb 2022

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 02 Feb 2022, published on 2 February 2022. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-767Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits IBM

ERecord?id=CVE-2021-34141 Référence CVE CVE-2021-34428 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-34428 Référence CVE CVE-2021-34429 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-34429 Référence CVE CVE-2021-3533 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3533 Référence CVE CVE-2021-3677 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3677 Référence CVE CVE-2021-4083 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-4083 Référence CVE CVE-2021-41496 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-41496 Référence CVE CVE-2021-42581 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-42581 Référence CVE CVE-2021-43138 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-43138 Référence CVE CVE-2021-43859 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-43859 Référence CVE CVE-2021-44906 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-44906 Référence CVE CVE-2021-44907 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-44907 Référence CVE CVE-2021-45960 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-45960 Référence CVE CVE-2021-46143 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-46143 Référence CVE CVE-2021-46461 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-46461 Référence CVE CVE-2021-46462 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-46462 Référence CVE CVE-2021-46463 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-46463 Référence CVE CVE-2022-0122 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=C

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-597Multiples vulnérabilités dans IBM Spectrum Protect Plus

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance, un déni de service à distance et un contournement de la politique de sécurité.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2022-004540XStream におけるリソースの枯渇に関する脆弱性

XStream には、リソースの枯渇に関する脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
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
Fixed
Action
For OpenShift Container Platform 3.11 see the following documentation, which will be updated shortly for this release, for important instructions on how to upgrade your cluster and fully apply this asynchronous errata update: https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/release_notes/ocp_3_11_release_notes.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/updating/updating-cluster-cli.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/upgrading/index.html
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 1 Feb 2022 · Last source change 3 Nov 2025, 21:45 UTC · CWE-400 · Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-1176
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

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    < 1.4.19 · 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
    < 1.4.19 · Fixed: For OpenShift Container Platform 3.11 see the following documentation, which will be updated shortly for this release, for important instructions on how to upgrade your cluster and fully apply this asynchronous errata update: https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/release_notes/ocp_3_11_release_notes.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/updating/updating-cluster-cli.html Details on how to access this content are available at https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/3.11/upgrading/index.html
    Red Hat Product Security ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
Fixed release recorded from official guidance
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-1176↗Red Hat Product Security security advisory↗CISA Vulnrichment SSVC evidence↗Patch or update reference↗Public exploit reference↗Patch or update reference↗Patch or update reference↗Public exploit reference · GitHub GHSA-RMR5-CPV2-VGJF↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
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.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2021-43859 · cve.blacktree.nl