org.hl7.fhir.core: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2026-55471 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in org.hl7.fhir.core from Hapifhir, 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. Affected org.hl7.fhir.core versions: < 6.9.10. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.57% 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 Hl7 Fhir Core to 6.9.10 or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapifhir | org.hl7.fhir.core | < 6.9.10 | Not stated |
| Hapifhir | Hl7 Fhir Core | before 6.9.10 | 6.9.10 |
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 NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
HAPI FHIR is a complete implementation of the HL7 FHIR standard for healthcare interoperability in Java. Prior to 6.9.10, org.hl7.fhir.utilities.XsltUtilities saxonTransform(...) overloads instantiated a bare net.sf.saxon.TransformerFactoryImpl() without ACCESS_EXTERNAL_DTD or ACCESS_EXTERNAL_STYLESHEET restrictions, allowing an attacker who controls or can tamper with transformed XML to trigger XML External Entity injection for local file disclosure and blind XXE or SSRF to arbitrary URLs reachable from the host. This issue is fixed in version 6.9.10.
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: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/hapifhir/org.hl7.fhir.core/security/advisories/GHSA-2f55-g35j-5jmfExploit, Third Party Advisory
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in org.hl7.fhir.core
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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