XML::Sig: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2026-9487 is a critical-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in XML::Sig from Timlegge, 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 0.71 as the first without the flaw, so updating XML::Sig to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% 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 XML::Sig to 0.71 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
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
XML::Sig versions before 0.71 for Perl allow signature wrapping via duplicate ID. _get_signed_xml() in lib/XML/Sig.pm, called from verify(), resolves the SignedInfo Reference/@URI to a node with the XPath expression "//*[@ID='$id']" and returns the first node of the resulting node set. A document in which two elements share that ID value is accepted: the digest and signature are checked against whichever element comes first in document order, and the duplicate is not detected. Such a document verifies successfully while an application that resolves the same ID independently can read the second, attacker supplied element; in a SAML2 context this places the contents of an Assertion under attacker control.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
The product does not verify, or incorrectly verifies, the cryptographic signature for data.
More Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities (CWE-347)
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 vulnerabilities in XML::Sig
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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