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Mallory
Medium

XXE in Apache CXF WS-Transfer

IdentifiersCVE-2026-44618CWE-611· Improper Restriction of XML…

CVE-2026-44618 is an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Apache CXF's WS-Transfer module (org.apache.cxf:cxf-rt-ws-transfer). The issue is caused by an insecure XML parser configuration in WS-Transfer request processing, which may allow external entity resolution when parsing attacker-controlled XML. As a result, a remote attacker can supply crafted XML to trigger XXE behavior. Reported affected versions include Apache CXF 4.2.0 before 4.2.1, 4.0.0 before 4.1.6, and versions in the 3.6.x line before 3.6.11.

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Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

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Successful exploitation may allow unauthorized disclosure of local files accessible to the CXF process and may enable server-side request forgery-style behavior such as probing or mapping internal network resources via external entity resolution. The primary impact described in the available content is sensitive file disclosure and internal network mapping.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure by disabling or restricting WS-Transfer functionality where feasible, preventing untrusted parties from submitting XML to affected endpoints, and hardening XML parsing behavior to disallow external entity resolution and related external resource loading. Network egress restrictions may also reduce SSRF/internal discovery impact. The primary recommended mitigation in the provided content is timely patching.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Apache CXF WS-Transfer deployments to a fixed release: 4.2.1, 4.1.6, or 3.6.11, as applicable to the deployed branch. These versions are identified in the provided content as containing the fix for CVE-2026-44618.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

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VendorProductType
Apache Software FoundationCxfapplication

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Social activity1

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