CVE-2021-41411Network attack vector

Host-file disclosure via unsafe XML validation

Published Jun 16, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

XXE in Drools KieModuleMarshaller 7.59.x and earlier allows remote attackers to read host files through crafted XML input. KieModuleMarshaller.java applies XML validation incorrectly, leaving external entity references resolvable while untrusted module data is unmarshalled. No authentication or user interaction is required when a consuming application routes network-supplied XML into this path; the grounded consequence is host-file disclosure.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE in Drools KieModuleMarshaller 7.59.x and earlier allows remote attackers to read host files through crafted XML input. KieModuleMarshaller.java applies XML validation incorrectly, leaving external entity references resolvable while untrusted module data is unmarshalled. No authentication or user interaction is required when a consuming application routes network-supplied XML into this path; the grounded consequence is host-file disclosure.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41411
Published
Jun 16, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-611, CAPEC-221
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 16, 2022CVE 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.5SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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.

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

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-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CAPEC-221Data Serialization External Entities Blowup

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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