Skip to content

CVE-2014-3120 — The default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripting, which…

Key facts

CVE-2014-3120 is a High (8.1) vulnerability: The default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripting, which…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2014-3120 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2014-3120
Severity High (8.1)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-03-25)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2014/CVE-2014-3120/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2014-3120
Type RCE
CVSS Score 8.1

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2014/CVE-2014-3120/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2014-3120

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://bouk.co/blog/elasticsearch-rce/
  • http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33370
  • http://www.osvdb.org/106949
  • http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/elasticsearch/script_mvel_rce
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/67731
  • https://www.elastic.co/blog/logstash-1-4-3-released
  • https://www.elastic.co/community/security/
  • https://www.found.no/foundation/elasticsearch-security/#staying-safe-while-developing-with-elasticsearch
  • http://bouk.co/blog/elasticsearch-rce/
  • http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33370
  • http://www.osvdb.org/106949
  • http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/elasticsearch/script_mvel_rce
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/67731
  • https://www.elastic.co/blog/logstash-1-4-3-released
  • https://www.elastic.co/community/security/
  • https://www.found.no/foundation/elasticsearch-security/#staying-safe-while-developing-with-elasticsearch
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-3120

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-30T19:16:26.010598075

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2014-3120?

CVE-2014-3120 is a High (8.1) vulnerability: The default configuration in Elasticsearch before 1.2 enables dynamic scripting, which…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-25), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2014-3120?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2014-3120?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2014-3120 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2014-3120 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-25, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-04-15. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.