CVE-2021-3878Network attack vector

Local file disclosure via unsafe XML parsers

Published Oct 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

XXE injection in Stanford CoreNLP 4.3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to read local files through crafted XML. DomReader.readDocument and Ssurgeon.readFromFile create default DocumentBuilderFactory parsers that permit external-entity resolution. Exploitation requires an application to pass attacker-controlled XML into either parser and can disclose files or initiate server-side requests.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.89%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE injection in Stanford CoreNLP 4.3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to read local files through crafted XML. DomReader.readDocument and Ssurgeon.readFromFile create default DocumentBuilderFactory parsers that permit external-entity resolution. Exploitation requires an application to pass attacker-controlled XML into either parser and can disclose files or initiate server-side requests.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3878
Published
Oct 15, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Stanford NLP Group
Product
Stanford CoreNLP
Classifications
CWE-611, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 15, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 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=unspecified <=4.3.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Stanford NLP Group · Stanford CoreNLPversion=unspecified <=4.3.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8huntr.devCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
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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