CVE-2014-3120
Confirmed PUBLISHEDThe default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripting, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary MVEL...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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.
- CVE Published
- Jul 28, 2014
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 25, 2022
- CVSS
- 8.1 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- 33370 exploit-db.com · Exploit http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33370
- 67731 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/67731
- 106949 osvdb.org · VDB Entry http://www.osvdb.org/106949
- elastic.co/blog/logstash-1-4-3-released elastic.co · CVE Record https://www.elastic.co/blog/logstash-1-4-3-released
- bouk.co/blog/elasticsearch-rce bouk.co · CVE Record http://bouk.co/blog/elasticsearch-rce/
Show 3 more references
- rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/elasticsearch/scrip... rapid7.com · CVE Record http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/elasticsearch/script_m...
- found.no/foundation/elasticsearch-security found.no · CVE Record https://www.found.no/foundation/elasticsearch-security/#staying-safe-...
- elastic.co/community/security elastic.co · CVE Record https://www.elastic.co/community/security/
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-03-25 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2014/CVE-2014-3120.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/elasticsearch/script_mvel_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-03-25 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2014-07-07 20:28:34 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Access Control
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/elasticsearch/script_mvel_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2014/CVE-2014-3120.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2022-08-01 04:39:04 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2014-07-07 20:28:34 UTC · 6 stars
POC Code to exploite CVE-2014-3120
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
19:00 UTC almost 12 years ago19:00 UTC · almost 12 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
20:28 UTC about 12 years ago20:28 UTC · about 12 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC about 12 years ago00:00 UTC · about 12 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2014-3120
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2014-3120",
"title": "The default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripti...",
"affected_vendor": "Elastic",
"affected_product": "Elasticsearch",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.1,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}