CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-85970NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

MarkLogic Server: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-85970 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in MarkLogic Server from Progress Software, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 11.3.7, 12.1.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating MarkLogic Server to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update MarkLogic Server to 11.3.7 or 12.1.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Progress SoftwareMarkLogic Server11.0.0 up to, but not including, 11.3.7; 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.1.011.3.7, 12.1.0

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
LowA basic user account is enough.
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
LowPerformance or availability is reduced.

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

Official description

Progress MarkLogic Server 12.x releases before 12.1.0 and 11.x releases before 11.3.7 enable XML external entity processing by default in multiple server paths, which could allow crafted XML to cause server-side requests or disclosure of local files.

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: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in MarkLogic Server

All MarkLogic Server vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities

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