# CVE-2021-42646: XML external entity in n/a

> Attackers can read sensitive information or cause denial of service via crafted GET requests in WSO2 API Manager and Identity Server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 11 May 2022
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rjgm-f3mv-p89p

## What is CVE-2021-42646?

CVE-2021-42646 is a critical vulnerability in Wso2 Api Manager, published on 11 May 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the file based service provider creation feature of the Management Console in WSO2 API Manager 2.6.0, 3.0.0, 3.1.0, 3.2.0, and 4.0.0; and WSO2 IS as Key Manager 5.7.0, 5.9.0, and 5.10.0; and WSO2 Identity Server 5.7.0, 5.8.0, 5.9.0, 5.10.0, and 5.11.0. Allows attackers to gain read access to sensitive information or cause a denial of service via crafted GET requests.

Weakness: CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-42646?

It affects 3 products.


Products: Wso2 Api Manager, Wso2 Identity Server, Wso2 Identity Server as Key Manager.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-42646?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-42646 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-42646 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-42646 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Wso2 Api Manager

- [CVE-2022-29464](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-29464/): WSO2 Multiple Products Unrestrictive Upload of File (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-6914](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-6914/): Incorrect Authorization in Multiple WSO2 Products via Account Recovery SOAP Admin Service Leading to Account Takeover (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-13226](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13226/): WSO2 API Manager vulnerable to SSRF (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-2905](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-2905/): An XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Multiple WSO2 Products (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2020-24589](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-24589/): XML external entity in n/a (critical 9.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-42646 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-42646 is a critical vulnerability in Wso2 Api Manager, published on 11 May 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-42646 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Wso2 Api Manager. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42646/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42646/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-42646
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42646
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-42646

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42646/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.