XML External Entity (XXE)

XML External Entity (XXE) is a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to read local files, perform SSRF attacks, and cause denial of service by exploiting weakly configured XML parsers. Learn exploitation techniques and defense strategies.

CRITICAL SEVERITYOWASP Top 10 #5CWE-6115 Techniques

🧪 Interactive XXE Lab

Select an XXE attack technique and practice exploitation in a safe environment

Select XXE Attack Context

Choose an XXE technique to practice exploitation

📖

Quick Reference

Always available while working

⚠️Notable XXE CVEs (2020-2025)

CVE-2024-238979.8

Jenkins - XXE in CLI command parser allows file disclosure

→ Arbitrary file read and RCE via crafted XML

CVE-2024-455198.9

Apache Struts - XXE vulnerability in XML processing

→ SSRF, file disclosure and denial of service

CVE-2024-326518.5

Microsoft SharePoint - XXE in document parsing

→ Information disclosure and server security breach

CVE-2024-271988.1

Oracle WebLogic - XXE in SOAP message processing

→ Remote file access and credential theft

🔥OWASP Top 10

Position:#5

XXE ranks under A05:2021 (Security Misconfiguration) in OWASP Top 10. Can lead to data exfiltration, SSRF, and RCE.

📊Critical Statistics

Vulnerable XML Parsers:78%

of legacy XML parsers vulnerable to XXE by default

Average CVSS Score:8.8

XXE vulnerabilities typically rated HIGH to CRITICAL

Data Exfiltration Risk:CRITICAL

Allows reading arbitrary files including /etc/passwd, config files

🛡️Quick Prevention

✓Disable external entity processing in XML parsers
✓Use JSON instead of XML when possible
✓Keep XML parser libraries updated
✓Implement input validation and sanitization
✓Use allowlists for XML schemas
✓Disable DTD processing entirely

📚Resources

VulnSign XXE Guide XXE Payload Examples

XML External Entity (XXE)

CRITICAL SEVERITYOWASP Top 10 #5CWE-6115 Techniques

🧪 Interactive XXE Lab

Select an XXE attack technique and practice exploitation in a safe environment

Select XXE Attack Context

Choose an XXE technique to practice exploitation

📖

Quick Reference

Always available while working

⚠️Notable XXE CVEs (2020-2025)

CVE-2024-238979.8

Jenkins - XXE in CLI command parser allows file disclosure

→ Arbitrary file read and RCE via crafted XML

CVE-2024-455198.9

Apache Struts - XXE vulnerability in XML processing

→ SSRF, file disclosure and denial of service

CVE-2024-326518.5

Microsoft SharePoint - XXE in document parsing

→ Information disclosure and server security breach

CVE-2024-271988.1

Oracle WebLogic - XXE in SOAP message processing

→ Remote file access and credential theft

🔥OWASP Top 10

Position:#5

XXE ranks under A05:2021 (Security Misconfiguration) in OWASP Top 10. Can lead to data exfiltration, SSRF, and RCE.

📊Critical Statistics

Vulnerable XML Parsers:78%

of legacy XML parsers vulnerable to XXE by default

Average CVSS Score:8.8

XXE vulnerabilities typically rated HIGH to CRITICAL

Data Exfiltration Risk:CRITICAL

Allows reading arbitrary files including /etc/passwd, config files

🛡️Quick Prevention

✓Disable external entity processing in XML parsers
✓Use JSON instead of XML when possible
✓Keep XML parser libraries updated
✓Implement input validation and sanitization
✓Use allowlists for XML schemas
✓Disable DTD processing entirely

📚Resources

VulnSign XXE Guide XXE Payload Examples

XML External Entity (XXE)

🧪 Interactive XXE Lab

Select XXE Attack Context

Basic XXE

Blind XXE

XXE via File Upload

XXE to SSRF

XXE DoS

Quick Reference

⚠️Notable XXE CVEs (2020-2025)

🔥OWASP Top 10

📊Critical Statistics

🛡️Quick Prevention

📚Resources

XML External Entity (XXE)

🧪 Interactive XXE Lab

Select XXE Attack Context

Basic XXE

Blind XXE

XXE via File Upload

XXE to SSRF

XXE DoS

Quick Reference

⚠️Notable XXE CVEs (2020-2025)

🔥OWASP Top 10

📊Critical Statistics

🛡️Quick Prevention

📚Resources