Vmware Spring REST Docs up to 3.0.5/4.0.0 Remote API xml external entity reference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Vmware Spring REST Docs up to 3.0.5/4.0.0. This impacts an unknown function of the component Remote API. Such manipulation leads to xml external entity reference. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-40991. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Vmware Spring REST Docs up to 3.0.5/4.0.0. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is an unknown part of the component Remote API. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a xml external entity reference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-611. The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

When using spring-restdocs-webtestclient or spring-restdocs-restassured to document a remote API accessed over HTTP, an attacker who compromises the API or tricks the user into documenting a malicious API can perform an XXE injection attack when the documentation-generating tests are next executed. Affected versions: Spring REST Docs 4.0.0; 3.0.0 through 3.0.5; 2.0.0.RELEASE through 2.0.8.RELEASE.

The advisory is shared for download at spring.io. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-40991 since 04/16/2026. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 06/10/2026).

Upgrading to version 2.0.9.RELEASE, 3.0.6 or 4.0.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Vendor

• Vmware

Name

• Spring REST Docs

Version

• 3.0.0
• 3.0.1
• 3.0.2
• 3.0.3
• 3.0.4
• 3.0.5
• 4.0

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.vmware.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion