Apache CXF up to 3.6.11/4.1.7/4.2.2 StaxUtils/WSDL4J xml external entity reference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Apache CXF up to 3.6.11/4.1.7/4.2.2. Affected is an unknown function of the component StaxUtils/WSDL4J. The manipulation results in xml external entity reference. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-65432. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Apache CXF up to 3.6.11/4.1.7/4.2.2. Affected is an unknown part of the component StaxUtils/WSDL4J. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a xml external entity reference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is available at lists.apache.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-65432 since 07/22/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 3.6.12, 4.1.8 or 4.2.3 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Application Server Software

Vendor

• Apache

Name

• CXF

Version

• 3.6.0
• 3.6.1
• 3.6.2
• 3.6.3
• 3.6.4
• 3.6.5
• 3.6.6
• 3.6.7
• 3.6.8
• 3.6.9
• 3.6.10
• 3.6.11
• 4.1.0
• 4.1.1
• 4.1.2
• 4.1.3
• 4.1.4
• 4.1.5
• 4.1.6
• 4.1.7
• 4.2.0
• 4.2.1
• 4.2.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.apache.org/

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