Description
Apache CXF reads a top-level WSDL through its hardened StaxUtils path, which disables XML DTDs and external entities. However, any <wsdl:import> or <xsd:import> referenced from that top-level WSDL is handed off to WSDL4J, which does not disable DOCTYPE declarations or external entities. As a result, the protections applied to the top-level document do not extend to imported documents, leaving imported WSDL/XSD content vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.3 or 4.1.8 or 3.6.12, which fix this issue.
References (2)
Core 2
Core References
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread/5qs207krzg51jl3zs3cvnl5lt9njp8c3
Scores
CVSS v3
7.5
EPSS
0.0041
EPSS Percentile
33.8%
Attack Vector
NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CISA SSVC
Vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
yes
Technical Impact
partial
Details
CWE
CWE-611
Status
published
Products (4)
apache/cxf
< 3.6.12
Apache Software Foundation/Apache CXF
< 3.6.12
Apache Software Foundation/Apache CXF
4.0.0 - 4.1.8
Apache Software Foundation/Apache CXF
4.2.0 - 4.2.3
Published
Aug 06, 2026
Tracked Since
Aug 06, 2026