Server file disclosure via unsafe import XML parsing
Published Jul 15, 2025 · Updated Jul 15, 2025
XXE injection in DSpace 7.6.3 and earlier, 8.0 through 8.1, and 9.0 allows attackers to read server files through import XML. The SAF and external-source import parsers accept XML whose external entities resolve local paths or remote URLs and inject returned content into metadata. Exploitation requires an administrator to import attacker-supplied SAF data, or a compromised upstream service to return malicious XML; exposure is limited to files readable by Tomcat and data reachable with the service's credentials.
Summary
What happened
XXE injection in DSpace 7.6.3 and earlier, 8.0 through 8.1, and 9.0 allows attackers to read server files through import XML. The SAF and external-source import parsers accept XML whose external entities resolve local paths or remote URLs and inject returned content into metadata. Exploitation requires an administrator to import attacker-supplied SAF data, or a compromised upstream service to return malicious XML; exposure is limited to files readable by Tomcat and data reachable with the service's credentials.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-53621
- Published
- Jul 15, 2025
- Updated
- Jul 15, 2025
- Vendor
- DSpace
- Product
- DSpace
- Classifications
- CWE-611, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 15, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 15, 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=< 7.6.4
- Affected versionversion=>= 8.0, < 8.2
- Affected versionversion=>= 9.0, < 9.1
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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