Adobe Experience Manager: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2025-54254 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Adobe Experience Manager versions: 6.5.23 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 53.9% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.98% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Check which version of Adobe Experience Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on helpx.adobe.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | Adobe Experience Manager | 6.5.23 and earlier | Not stated |
| Adobe | Experience Manager Forms | 6.5.23.0 and earlier | Not 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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA (adobe.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | NVD |
Official description
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.23 and earlier are affected by an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference ('XXE') vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files on the local file system, scope is changed. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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