# CVE-2022-40705: Apache SOAP: XML External Entity Injection (XXE) allows unauthenticated users to read arbitrary files via HTTP

> Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files via XML External Entity injection in the RPCRouterServlet of the unsupported Apache SOAP library.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Sep 2022
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jq8c-j47c-vvwm

## What is CVE-2022-40705?

CVE-2022-40705 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache SOAP, published on 22 Sep 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in RPCRouterServlet of Apache SOAP allows an attacker to read arbitrary files over HTTP. This issue affects Apache SOAP version 2.2 and later versions. It is unknown whether previous versions are also affected. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-40705?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including soap:soap. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `soap:soap` | Maven | From 2.2 to 2.3.1 | None |
| `soap:soap` | Maven | From 2.2 to 2.3.1 | None |

Products: Apache Soap.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-40705?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-40705 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-40705 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-40705 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache SOAP

- [CVE-2022-45378](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-45378/): Apache SOAP allows unauthenticated users to potentially invoke arbitrary code (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-40705 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-40705 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache SOAP, published on 22 Sep 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-2022-40705 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- soap:soap (Maven): affected from 2.2 up to 2.3.1; no fix listed
- soap:soap (Maven): affected from 2.2 up to 2.3.1; no fix listed

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-2022-40705/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40705/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-40705
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-40705
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-40705

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40705/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.