CVE-2024-28168Network attack vector

File disclosure via unsecured XSLT external entities

Published Oct 9, 2024 · Updated Oct 9, 2024

XXE in XSL input processing in Apache XML Graphics FOP 2.9 allows attackers to read host files through crafted external entities. InputHandler.transformTo creates a TransformerFactory without enabling FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING, allowing the XSLT engine to resolve external resources. Exposure requires an application or command-line workflow to process attacker-controlled XSL, and the bounded impact is file disclosure from the FOP host.

CVSS severity6.9
Medium
EPSS probability1.04%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE in XSL input processing in Apache XML Graphics FOP 2.9 allows attackers to read host files through crafted external entities. InputHandler.transformTo creates a TransformerFactory without enabling FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING, allowing the XSLT engine to resolve external resources. Exposure requires an application or command-line workflow to process attacker-controlled XSL, and the bounded impact is file disclosure from the FOP host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-28168
Published
Oct 9, 2024
Updated
Oct 9, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache FOP
Classifications
CWE-611, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 9, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 9, 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=2.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache FOPversion=2.9
The Apache Software Foundation · Apache XML Graphics FOPversion=2.9

Published CVSS scores

6.9GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA: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-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
T1005Data from Local System

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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