CVE-2022-28890Network attack vector

Outbound request via unrestricted external DTD resolution

Published May 5, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

XXE in the RDF/XML parser in Apache Jena 4.4.0 and versions before 4.2.0 allows remote attackers to trigger external DTD retrieval. The parser's XMLInputFactory permits external DTD access, so crafted RDF/XML directs the host to fetch an attacker-selected URI. Reachability requires an application to pass attacker-controlled RDF/XML into Jena; the documented consequence is an outbound request, not arbitrary file disclosure or code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.63%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE in the RDF/XML parser in Apache Jena 4.4.0 and versions before 4.2.0 allows remote attackers to trigger external DTD retrieval. The parser's XMLInputFactory permits external DTD access, so crafted RDF/XML directs the host to fetch an attacker-selected URI. Reachability requires an application to pass attacker-controlled RDF/XML into Jena; the documented consequence is an outbound request, not arbitrary file disclosure or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-28890
Published
May 5, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Jena
Classifications
CWE-611, CAPEC-221, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 5, 2022CVE 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=Apache Jena <=4.4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Jenaversion=Apache Jena <=4.4.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8GitHub Advisory 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
9.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
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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