CVE-2023-4218

Local file disclosure via external entity resolution

Published Nov 9, 2023 · Updated Sep 3, 2024

XXE in Eclipse IDE before 4.29 allows context-dependent attackers to read local files through a crafted malicious project. XML parsers across affected IDE modules accept DOCTYPE declarations and resolve external entity references instead of disabling external access. A user must open or update the project; successful exploitation can disclose readable local files and initiate attacker-selected outbound requests.

CVSS severity5.0
Medium
EPSS probability0.39%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE in Eclipse IDE before 4.29 allows context-dependent attackers to read local files through a crafted malicious project. XML parsers across affected IDE modules accept DOCTYPE declarations and resolve external entity references instead of disabling external access. A user must open or update the project; successful exploitation can disclose readable local files and initiate attacker-selected outbound requests.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-4218
Published
Nov 9, 2023
Updated
Sep 3, 2024
Vendor
The Eclipse Foundation
Product
org.eclipse.core.runtime
Classifications
CWE-611, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 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=0 <3.29.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

The Eclipse Foundation · org.eclipse.core.runtimeversion=0 <3.29.0
The Eclipse Foundation · Eclipse IDEversion=0 <2023-09; version=0 <4.29
The Eclipse Foundation · Eclipse Plug-in Development Environment (PDE)version=0 <=3.13.2400

Published CVSS scores

5.0Eclipse FoundationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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