CVE-2020-11988Network attack vector

Server-side request forgery via external DTD resolution

Published Feb 24, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Server-side request forgery in Apache XML Graphics Commons 2.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to trigger arbitrary GET requests. XMPParser creates a TransformerFactory without disabling external DTD and stylesheet access, so crafted XMP makes the transformer resolve attacker-supplied URLs. A consuming application must pass attacker-controlled XMP to the parser; exploitation reaches resources accessible to that application's server process.

CVSS severity8.2
High
EPSS probability6.65%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Server-side request forgery in Apache XML Graphics Commons 2.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to trigger arbitrary GET requests. XMPParser creates a TransformerFactory without disabling external DTD and stylesheet access, so crafted XMP makes the transformer resolve attacker-supplied URLs. A consuming application must pass attacker-controlled XMP to the parser; exploitation reaches resources accessible to that application's server process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-11988
Published
Feb 24, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache XML Graphics Commons
Classifications
CWE-20, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 24, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache XmlGraphics Commons <2.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache XML Graphics Commonsversion=Apache XmlGraphics Commons <2.6

Published CVSS scores

8.2GitLab Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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