CVE-2016-8739 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in Apache CXF JAX-RS

What is CVE-2016-8739?

CVE-2016-8739 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 10 Aug 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

The JAX-RS module in Apache CXF prior to 3.0.12 and 3.1.x prior to 3.1.9 provides a number of Atom JAX-RS MessageBodyReaders. These readers use Apache Abdera Parser which expands XML entities by default which represents a major XXE risk.

Weakness: CWE-611

Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-8739?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.cxf:cxf-core. It affects 1 product.

Products include Apache Cxf.

How do I fix CVE-2016-8739?

Upgrade org.apache.cxf:cxf-core to a fixed version for your release line: 3.0.12 or 3.1.9.

Is CVE-2016-8739 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-8739 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Apache Cxf

• CVE-2012-2379 XML Signature/Encryption Not Validated in Apache CXF Critical 10.0
• CVE-2026-66909 Apache CXF: Unsafe deserialization of inbound JMS ObjectMessage Critical 9.8
• CVE-2026-68079 Apache CXF: DefaultEncryptingCodeDataProvider allows unlimited authorization code replay Critical 9.8
• CVE-2026-50628 Apache CXF: OAuth2: Inverted IP Binding Check Defeats Security Control Critical 9.8
• CVE-2025-48913 Apache CXF: Untrusted JMS configuration can lead to RCE Critical 9.8

All Apache Cxf vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-x7xf-253v-x3w8.