CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-2905NVD status: Modified

WSO2 API Manager: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-2905 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in WSO2 API Manager from WSO2, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 2.0.0, 4.0.0.311, 4.1.0.152 as the first without the flaw, so updating WSO2 API Manager to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.32% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 71% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update WSO2 API Manager to 2.0.0 or 4.0.0.311 or 4.1.0.152 or 4.2.0.122, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update WSO2 Micro integrator to 1.2.0.162 or 4.0.0.132 or 4.1.0.115 or 4.2.0.112, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on security.docs.wso2.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
WSO2WSO2 API Managerbefore 2.0.0; 2.1.0; 2.2.0; 2.5.0; 2.6.0; 3.0.0; 3.1.0; 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.0.0.311; and 2 more ranges2.0.0, 4.0.0.311, 4.1.0.152, 4.2.0.122
WSO2WSO2 Enterprise Integrator6.0.0; 6.1.0; 6.1.1; 6.2.0; 6.3.0; 6.4.0; 6.5.0; 6.6.0Not stated
WSO2WSO2 Enterprise Service Bus4.9.0; 5.0.0Not stated
WSO2WSO2 Micro integrator1.0.0; 1.1.0; 1.2.0 up to, but not including, 1.2.0.162; 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.0.0.132; 4.1.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.0.115; 4.2.0 up to, but not including, 4.2.0.1121.2.0.162, 4.0.0.132, 4.1.0.115, 4.2.0.112
WSO2WSO2 Open Banking AM1.5.0Not stated
WSO2API Manager2.0.0 and earlierNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.

Official description

Due to the improper configuration of XML parser, user-supplied XML is parsed without applying sufficient restrictions, enabling XML External Entity (XXE) resolution in multiple WSO2 Products. A successful XXE attack could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to: * Read sensitive files from the server’s filesystem. * Perform denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, which can render the affected service unavailable.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

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.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Many XML parsers and validators can be configured to disable external entity expansion.

More Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-611)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in WSO2 API Manager

All WSO2 API Manager vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities

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