CVE-2020-26259
MediumIn XStream before version 1.4.15, is vulnerable to an Arbitrary File Deletion on the local host when unmarshalling.
Published Dec 13, 2021 · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2020-26259, GHSA-jfvx-7wrx-43fh, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-26259
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-26259 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 6.8 v3.1) affecting Struts (Apache), Xstream, Debian Linux and 22 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 82% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Struts 6.0.0, cobbler 3.0.0+git20190806.32c4bae0-5.6.4, com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream 1.4.15.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
6.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
82%
Higher than 99.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2020-26259 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
XStream is a Java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. In XStream before version 1.4.15, is vulnerable to an Arbitrary File Deletion on the local host when unmarshalling. The vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to delete arbitrary know files on the host as log as the executing process has sufficient rights only by manipulating the processed input stream. If you rely on XStream's default blacklist of the Security Framework, you will have to use at least version 1.4.15. The reported vulnerability does not exist running Java 15 or higher. No user is affected, who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's Security Framework with a whitelist! Anyone relying on XStream's default blacklist can immediately switch to a whilelist for the allowed types to avoid the vulnerability. Users of XStream 1.4.14 or below who still want to use XStream default blacklist can use a workaround described in more detailed in the referenced advisories.
Affected Products
140 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| StrutsApache | See advisory | 6.0.0 |
| XstreamXstream | >= < 1.4.15 | 1.4.15 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0, 9.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 33, 34, 35 | n/a |
| libxstream-javadebian | See advisory | 1.4.15-1 |
Patched Releases
Struts
6.0.0
cobbler
3.0.0+git20190806.32c4bae0-5.6.4
com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream
1.4.15
grafana-formula
0.4.0-3.6.2
libxstream-java
1.4.11.1-1+deb10u2, 1.4.11.1-1+deb9u1, 1.4.11.1-1~18.04.1, 1.4.11.1-1~18.04.2, 1.4.11.1-1ubuntu0.1, 1.4.11.1-1ubuntu0.2, 1.4.15-1, 1.4.7-1ubuntu0.1+esm2, 1.4.8-1ubuntu0.1+esm3
mgr-libmod
4.1.7-3.16.2
mgr-osa-dispatcher
4.1.5-2.9.4
mgr-osad
4.1.5-2.9.4
prometheus-exporters-formula
0.9.0-3.19.2
prometheus-formula
0.3.1-3.6.2
py26-compat-salt
2016.11.10-6.11.2
python3-mgr-osa-common
4.1.5-2.9.4
python3-mgr-osa-dispatcher
4.1.5-2.9.4
python3-mgr-osad
4.1.5-2.9.4
python3-rhnlib
4.1.3-4.3.2
python3-spacewalk-check
4.1.9-4.12.4
python3-spacewalk-client-setup
4.1.9-4.12.4
python3-spacewalk-client-tools
4.1.9-4.12.4
rhnlib
4.1.3-4.3.2
smdba
1.7.8-0.3.6.2
spacewalk-backend
4.1.21-4.22.7
spacewalk-backend-app
4.1.21-4.22.7
spacewalk-backend-applet
4.1.21-4.22.7
spacewalk-backend-config-files
4.1.21-4.22.7
spacewalk-backend-config-files-common
4.1.21-4.22.7
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Dec 13, 2021
Last updated
Oct 9, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
References
- advisoryRHSA-2021:2139
- advisoryRHSA-2021:2475
- advisoryRHSA-2021:2476
- advisoryRHSA-2021:3205
- advisoryRHSA-2021:4767
FAQ
Common Questions.
XStream is a Java library to serialize objects to XML and back again.
Affected: Struts (Apache); Xstream versions >= < 1.4.15; Debian Linux versions 10.0, 9.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Struts 6.0.0, cobbler 3.0.0+git20190806.32c4bae0-5.6.4, com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream 1.4.15.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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