# CVE-2026-65432: Apache CXF: XXE via WSDL/XSD import parsing

> Attackers can exploit XXE vulnerabilities in Apache CXF by importing malicious WSDL/XSD files, potentially reading sensitive data or causing denial of service.

- **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:** Yes
- **Published:** 6 Aug 2026
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2026
- **Also known as:** CLEANSTART-2026-DL82237, GHSA-jvhw-7q2c-2r65

## What is CVE-2026-65432?

CVE-2026-65432 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 6 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Apache CXF reads a top-level WSDL through its hardened StaxUtils path, which disables XML DTDs and external entities. However, any <wsdl:import> or <xsd:import> referenced from that top-level WSDL is handed off to WSDL4J, which does not disable DOCTYPE declarations or external entities. As a result, the protections applied to the top-level document do not extend to imported documents, leaving imported WSDL/XSD content vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 4.2.3 or 4.1.8 or 3.6.12, which fix this issue.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-65432?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Cxf.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-65432?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2026-65432 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-65432 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Cxf

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

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-65432 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-65432 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Cxf, published on 6 Aug 2026. 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-2026-65432 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Apache Cxf. 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-2026-65432/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-65432/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-65432
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-65432
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-65432

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-65432/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.