---
title: "CVE-2023-49733: Apache Cocoon Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-49733/
description: "CVE-2023-49733 (org.apache.cocoon:cocoon (Maven)): Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in Apache Cocoon.This issue affects…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2023-11-30
date_modified: 2025-02-13
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2023-49733"
kev: false
cvss: 9.8
epss: 0.01292
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2023-49733: Apache Cocoon Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability

**Signal:** Critical and remotely reachable. No known exploitation yet, but it is network-reachable without credentials. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- No confirmed exploitation. It is not in CISA’s KEV catalog. That can change quickly after a public write-up; re-check if you are affected.
- EPSS 1.3% , percentile 70: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.3% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 70% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes org.apache.cocoon:cocoon (Maven) >= 2.2.0, < 2.3.0, fixed in 2.3.0 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in Apache Cocoon.This issue affects Apache Cocoon: from 2.2.0 before 2.3.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.3.0, which fixes the issue.

## Affected packages

- Maven `org.apache.cocoon:cocoon` >= 2.2.0, < 2.3.0 → fixed: 2.3.0

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Cocoon: 2.2.0 < 2.3.0

## Severity

- GitHub CVSS 3.1: 9.8 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 1.29% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 70.

## Sources

- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread/t87nntzt6dxw354zbqr9k7l7o1x8gq11)
- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-77jg-cpw9-73vg](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-77jg-cpw9-73vg)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2023-49733](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-49733)
- [NVD entry CVE-2023-49733](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-49733)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/30/5)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-49733/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt