CVE-2017-9096 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in iText

What is CVE-2017-9096?

CVE-2017-9096 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Nov 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

The XML parsers in iText before 5.5.12 and 7.x before 7.0.3 do not disable external entities, which might allow remote attackers to conduct XML external entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted PDF.

Weakness: CWE-611

Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-9096?

6 open source packages ship an affected version, including com.itextpdf:itextpdf and com.lowagie:itext. It affects 1 product.

Products include Itextpdf Itext.

How do I fix CVE-2017-9096?

Upgrade com.itextpdf:itextpdf to a fixed version for your release line: 5.5.12 or 7.0.3.

Is CVE-2017-9096 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-9096 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Other vulnerabilities in n/a

• CVE-2022-24196 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling in iText Medium 6.5
• CVE-2022-24197 Out-of-bounds Write in iText Medium 6.5
• CVE-2022-24198 Out-of-bounds Read in iText Medium 6.5
• CVE-2023-6298 Apryse iText PdfDocument.java main array index Medium 4.3
• CVE-2023-6299 Apryse iText Reference Table PdfDocument.java memory leak Medium 4.3

Sources

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

Also known as CLSA-2025-1761005191, CLSA-2026-1787125497, CLSA-2026-1787667201, GHSA-86p9-x5pw-94qx.