CVE-2023-26264 in Data Catalog
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2023
All versions of Talend Data Catalog before 8.0-20220907 are potentially vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) attacks in the license parsing code.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26264 affects Talend Data Catalog versions prior to 8.0-20220907, representing a critical security flaw in the software's license parsing functionality. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the application's XML processing mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit XML External Entity vulnerabilities. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes license files that contain malformed XML structures, allowing attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior through carefully crafted external entity references.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the XML parser configuration used by Talend Data Catalog during license validation processes. When the application encounters a license file, it employs an XML parser that fails to properly restrict external entity resolution, enabling attackers to reference external resources or execute malicious payloads through XML entities. This flaw falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity references. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can potentially enable remote code execution or denial of service conditions, depending on the attacker's objectives and the system's configuration.
The operational implications of CVE-2023-26264 are significant for organizations utilizing Talend Data Catalog, particularly those handling sensitive data environments. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by submitting specially crafted license files that contain malicious XML entities, potentially leading to unauthorized access to internal systems, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through the standard license upload process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where license management is automated or where users have the ability to upload license files. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML External Entity Processing, which targets applications that process XML input without proper validation controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Talend Data Catalog version 8.0-20220907 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should configure XML parsers to disable external entity resolution andDTD processing entirely, implementing strict input validation for all license files and XML content. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper XML security configuration and input sanitization in enterprise data catalog solutions, highlighting how seemingly innocuous functionality can become a gateway for broader security breaches when proper validation controls are absent.