CVE-2014-3120

KEVElasticsearch Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Elasticsearch enables dynamic scripting, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary MVEL expressions and Java code.

The default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripting, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary MVEL expressions and Java code via the source parameter to _search. NOTE: this only violates the vendor's intended security policy if the user does not run Elasticsearch in its own independent virtual machine.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

PublishedJul 28, 2014

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVMar 25, 2022

Remediation dueApr 15, 2022

References

bouk.co/blog/elasticsearch-rce/Exploit
exploit-db.com/exploits/33370Exploit
osvdb.org/106949Broken Link
rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/elasticsearch/script_mvel_rceExploitThird Party Advisory
securityfocus.com/bid/67731Exploit
elastic.co/blog/logstash-1-4-3-releasedVendor Advisory
elastic.co/community/security/Vendor Advisory
found.no/foundation/elasticsearch-security/Exploit
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-3120US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · High

Actively exploited. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1655 days
CVSS: 8.1 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 88.6% · top 1% of all CVEs
Weakness: CWE-284
Attack vector: Network, remotely reachable

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.