Authenticated file read via anti-phishing XML import
Published Apr 28, 2025 · Updated Nov 19, 2025
XXE in GFI MailEssentials before 21.8 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary system files through a crafted XML import. The anti-phishing keyword import handler passes uploaded XML to MEC.Configuration.RemotingHelper.ImportAntiPhisingKeywordList, which reads it with XmlDocument.LoadXml without disabling external entity resolution. Access to the configuration interface and a valid account are required; successful exploitation discloses service-readable files through attacker-controlled HTTP requests.
Summary
What happened
XXE in GFI MailEssentials before 21.8 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary system files through a crafted XML import. The anti-phishing keyword import handler passes uploaded XML to MEC.Configuration.RemotingHelper.ImportAntiPhisingKeywordList, which reads it with XmlDocument.LoadXml without disabling external entity resolution. Access to the configuration interface and a valid account are required; successful exploitation discloses service-readable files through attacker-controlled HTTP requests.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-34490
- Published
- Apr 28, 2025
- Updated
- Nov 19, 2025
- Vendor
- GFI Software
- Product
- GFI MailEssentials
- Classifications
- CWE-611, T1005
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 28, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 19, 2025Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <21.8
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- GFI MailEssentials XXE file-read proof of conceptfunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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