Security Digest · Vulnerability record
CVE-2026-49875: Apache CXF has Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Apache CXF's EndpointReferenceUtils and W3CMultiSchemaFactory classes construct a SAXParserFactory without the necessary JAXP hardening configurations, enabling out-of-band (OOB) external entity resolution.
CVSS 7.5 High EPSS 0.8% · p56
Should you act?
Normal patch cycle
No exploitation signal; fix it in your next routine update if you are affected. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- No confirmed exploitation. It is not in CISA’s KEV catalog and CISA’s SSVC assessment records no known exploitation. That can change quickly after a public write-up; re-check if you are affected.
- EPSS 0.8%, percentile 56: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.8% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 56% 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.cxf:cxf-core(Maven) >= 4.2.0, < 4.2.2, fixed in 4.2.2;org.apache.cxf:cxf-core(Maven) < 4.1.7, fixed in 4.1.7. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.
What it is
Apache CXF's EndpointReferenceUtils and W3CMultiSchemaFactory classes construct a SAXParserFactory without the necessary JAXP hardening configurations, enabling out-of-band (OOB) external entity resolution. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.2 or 4.1.7 or 3.6.12, which fix this issue.
From the GitHub advisory
Apache CXF's EndpointReferenceUtils and W3CMultiSchemaFactory classes construct a SAXParserFactory without the necessary JAXP hardening configurations, enabling out-of-band (OOB) external entity resolution. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.2 or 4.1.7, which fix this issue.
Weakness type: CWE-611.
Product: org.apache.cxf:cxf-core (Maven) · Assigned by: apache · Published: 2026-06-12
Affected and fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable | First fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maven | org.apache.cxf:cxf-core | >= 4.2.0, < 4.2.2 | 4.2.2 |
| Maven | org.apache.cxf:cxf-core | < 4.1.7 | 4.1.7 |
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Software Foundation | Apache CXF | 4.2.0 < 4.2.2, 4.0.0 < 4.1.7, < 3.6.12 |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA-ADP | 3.1 | 6.5 Medium | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| redhat-SADP | 3.1 | 7.5 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| GitHub | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact partial.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.81% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 56.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by apache
- — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-xw5h-cmh3-8j6j published (critical)
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- lists.apache.org lists.apache.org
- access.redhat.com access.redhat.com
- access.redhat.com access.redhat.com
Vulnerability records
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-xw5h-cmh3-8j6j github.com
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-49875 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2026-49875 nvd.nist.gov
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- openwall.com openwall.com
- access.redhat.com access.redhat.com
- RHBZ#2488309 bugzilla.redhat.com
- security.access.redhat.com security.access.redhat.com
- cxf.apache.org cxf.apache.org