CVE-2022-41966: XStream serializes Java objects to XML and back again

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-41966?

xstream: upgrade to 1.4.20. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-41966 being exploited?

CVE-2022-41966 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2022-41966 affect?

CVE-2022-41966 affects xstream. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). XStream serializes Java objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.20 may allow a remote attacker to terminate the application with a stack overflow error, resulting in a denial of service only via manipulation the processed input

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-41966?

Priority 63/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

HIGH 8.2REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2022-41966 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.2) affecting xstream. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

XStream serializes Java objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.20 may allow a remote attacker to terminate the application with a stack overflow error, resulting in a denial of service only via manipulation the processed input stream. The attack uses the hash code implementation for collections and maps to force recursive hash calculation causing a stack overflow. This issue is patched in version 1.4.20 which handles the stack overf

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	9.3% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120, CWE-121, CWE-502, CWE-674
Published	2022-12-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: xstream

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-12-28 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xstream xstream UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.4.20

Fixed in: 1.4.20

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xstream || rpm -q xstream || xstream --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.20 (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.

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-2022-41966?

xstream: upgrade to 1.4.20. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-41966 being exploited?

CVE-2022-41966 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-2022-41966 affect?

CVE-2022-41966 affects xstream. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). XStream serializes Java objects to XML and back again. Versions prior to 1.4.20 may allow a remote attacker to terminate the application with a stack overflow error, resulting in a denial of service only via manipulation the processed input

How urgent is CVE-2022-41966?

Priority 63/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2013-7285 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Xstream API versions up to 1.4.6 and version 1.4.10, if the security framework has not been initialized, may a
CVE-2021-39153 HIGH 8.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again
CVE-2021-39152 HIGH 8.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again
CVE-2021-39151 HIGH 8.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again
CVE-2021-39150 HIGH 8.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back again

References

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