PhpSpreadsheet: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2026-108357 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in PhpSpreadsheet from PHPOffice, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected PhpSpreadsheet versions: >= 3.3.0, < 3.10.8; >= 4.0.0, < 5.10.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of PhpSpreadsheet you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPOffice | PhpSpreadsheet | >= 3.3.0, < 3.10.8; >= 4.0.0, < 5.10.0 | 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.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- LowLimited loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- LowLimited loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:H/SC:L/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
PhpSpreadsheet is a pure PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. From 3.3.0 until 3.10.8 and 5.10.0, Reader\Xml passes stored SpreadsheetML XML through XmlScanner::scan in Xml::canRead and Xml::trySimpleXMLLoadStringPrivate, while Xml::unentity decodes numeric entities only after each DOCTYPE pattern check. A double-encoded less-than character is reduced by the first callback to another encoded character and by the second callback to a literal less-than sign, so SimpleXML receives an unchecked DOCTYPE and entity declaration. Processing attacker-controlled SpreadsheetML XML can cause entity-expansion denial of service and can permit local file access or SSRF on PHP before 8.0 or when LIBXML_NOENT is enabled. This issue is fixed in versions 3.10.8 and 5.10.0.
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: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in PhpSpreadsheet
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.