Code Injection in com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream (CVE-2021-29505, CVSS 7.5)

Summary

Code injection in com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream (CVE-2021-29505). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. Mitigation: upgrade to 1.4.17 or later.

Original description

The description as published by the source.

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.

Source: OSV.dev (Open Source Vulnerabilities) NVD GitHub Advisory OSV

Auto-generated summary

Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.

A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2021-29505 has been found in com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.5/10.
What to do: upgrade com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream to 1.4.17 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream CVE-2021-29505" on the vendor's site.

CVE-2021-29505 (com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream) — CWE-94 / CVSS v3 7.5
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / no user interaction
Patched: 1.4.17 — apply immediately
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.

❓ What is the problem

Arbitrary code execution (CWE-94) exists in com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream.

📍 Affected scope

Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream.

🔥 Severity

Severity: High (CVSS 7.5/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.

🔧 How to fix

Update to 1.4.17.

🛡️ Workaround

Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.

🔍 Detection

Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.

Response actions

Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order

1
Identify exposure identify
```
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.
```
資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
2
Apply patch patch
```
Upgrade com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream to 1.4.17
```
ステージング環境で 1.4.17 に上げて回帰テスト → 本番反映。回帰テストはアプリの主要ハッピーパスを含めること。
3
Post-deployment verification verify
```
Confirm patched version is live in production
```
パッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。

Affected packages

Maven com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream

[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"1.4.17"}]}]

Fix status by distribution

Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE

Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2021-29505 libxstream-java Fixed in: 1.4.15-3

Code Injection in com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream (CVE-2021-29505)