# CVE-2023-38693: RCE in Lucee REST endpoint

> Attackers can achieve remote code execution via XML External Entity injection in the Lucee REST endpoint.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Mar 2025
- **Updated:** 6 Mar 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vwjx-mmwm-pwrf

## What is CVE-2023-38693?

CVE-2023-38693 is a critical vulnerability in Lucee, published on 5 Mar 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Lucee Server (or simply Lucee) is a dynamic, Java based, tag and scripting language used for rapid web application development. The Lucee REST endpoint is vulnerable to RCE via an XML XXE attack. This vulnerability is fixed in Lucee 5.4.3.2, 5.3.12.1, 5.3.7.59, 5.3.8.236, and 5.3.9.173.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-38693?

10 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.lucee:lucee.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | All versions to 5.3.7.59 | None |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | All versions to 5.3.7.59 | None |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.10.79-RC | 5.3.12.1 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.10.79-RC | 5.3.12.1 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.8.132-RC | 5.3.8.236 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.8.132-RC | 5.3.8.236 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.9.113 | 5.3.9.173 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.3.9.113 | 5.3.9.173 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.4.0.65-RC | 5.4.3.2 |
| `org.lucee:lucee` | Maven | From 5.4.0.65-RC | 5.4.3.2 |

## How do I fix CVE-2023-38693?

Upgrade org.lucee:lucee to a fixed version for your release line: 5.3.12.1, 5.3.8.236, 5.3.9.173 or 5.4.3.2.

## Is CVE-2023-38693 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-38693 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-38693 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-38693 is a critical vulnerability in Lucee, published on 5 Mar 2025. 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-2023-38693 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected all versions up to 5.3.7.59; no fix listed
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected all versions up to 5.3.7.59; no fix listed
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.10.79-RC; fixed in 5.3.12.1
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.10.79-RC; fixed in 5.3.12.1
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.8.132-RC; fixed in 5.3.8.236
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.8.132-RC; fixed in 5.3.8.236
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.9.113; fixed in 5.3.9.173
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.3.9.113; fixed in 5.3.9.173
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.4.0.65-RC; fixed in 5.4.3.2
- org.lucee:lucee (Maven): affected from 5.4.0.65-RC; fixed in 5.4.3.2

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-2023-38693/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38693/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-38693
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-38693
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-38693

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38693/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.