Apache Axis2/Java: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2026-120761 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in Apache Axis2/Java from Apache, 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 version 2.0.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache Axis2/Java to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Apache Axis2/Java to 2.0.2 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache Axis2/Java | before 2.0.2 | 2.0.2 |
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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in Apache Axis2/Java. When a client built an AxisService from a WSDL URL, through ServiceClient or AxisService.createClientSideAxisService, wsdl4j import resolution was enabled and the documents named by wsdl:import and xsd:import were parsed by wsdl4j's own XML parser, which processes DOCTYPE declarations and external entities. An attacker who controls a WSDL, or a document it imports, could therefore read local files or make the JVM issue network requests. This issue affects Apache Axis2/Java: through 2.0.1. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.0.2, which fixes the issue.
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
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Axis2/Java
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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