CVE-2025-66516
Description
A XML External Entity (XXE) injection vulnerability was found in the Apache Tika framework's PDF parsing functionality. It could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to exploit the system by providing a specially crafted PDF containing an XFA (XML Forms Architecture) file. This flaw could lead to sensitive information disclosure or, potentially, Remote Code Execution (RCE) on the server. The issue affects multiple Tika modules, including tika-core, tika-pdf-module, and tika-parsers, within the version ranges 1.13 through 3.2.1.
This CVE expands on the scope of CVE-2025-54988 to clarify that the root cause and required fix reside in the tika-core module, regardless of which parser module is used.
Statement
This vulnerability is rated Critical because it can be triggered when Apache Tika processes a maliciously crafted XFA file embedded within a PDF. Successful exploitation enables XML External Entity (XXE) injection, allowing an attacker to access sensitive local files and initiate arbitrary requests to internal or external network resources. This can lead to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), data tampering, and potential elevation of privileges. With high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to affected systems.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 10 | 9.8 | 8.4 |
| Attack Vector | Network | Network | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | None | None |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Changed | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | High | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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