CVE-2026-65432: Apache CXF: XXE via WSDL/XSD import parsing

Severity: high (CVSS 7.5 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-06 · updated 2026-10-24
Weakness: CWE-611

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.

Affected products

Apache Software Foundation Apache CXF: before 3.6.12; from 4.0.0 before 4.1.8; from 4.2.0 before 4.2.3 — fixed in 3.6.12, 4.1.8, 4.2.3

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Apache Software Foundation Apache CXF 3.6.12, 4.1.8, 4.2.3. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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