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CVE-2020-26258: XStream is a Java library to serialize objects to XML and back again

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This week
MEDIUM 6.3WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-26258 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.3) affecting struts, xstream, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

XStream is a Java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. In XStream before version 1.4.15, a Server-Side Forgery Request vulnerability can be activated when unmarshalling. The vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to request data from internal resources that are not publicly available 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 leas

Why this priority

  • EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
  • Public exploit reference
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score6.3 (Medium)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityHigh
Privileges neededLow
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance81.8% (top 1%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-918
Published2020-12-16
Last modified2026-10-07
Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: apache · debian · fedoraproject · xstream

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-10-07 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

apache struts UPGRADE
Affected: < 6.0.0
Fixed in: 6.0.0
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy struts || rpm -q struts || struts --version
2. UPGRADE to 6.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade struts
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade struts
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
xstream xstream UPGRADE
Affected: < 1.4.15
Fixed in: 1.4.15
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy xstream || rpm -q xstream || xstream --version
2. UPGRADE to 1.4.15 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade xstream
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade xstream
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0 · 10.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 33 · 34 · 35
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 33
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-26258?

struts: upgrade to 6.0.0; xstream: upgrade to 1.4.15; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-26258 being exploited?

CVE-2020-26258 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-26258 affect?

CVE-2020-26258 affects struts, xstream, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.3). XStream is a Java library to serialize objects to XML and back again. In XStream before version 1.4.15, a Server-Side Forgery Request vulnerability can be activated when unmarshalling. The vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to reques

How urgent is CVE-2020-26258?

Priority 57/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Struts vulnerabilities · Java vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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