CVE-2021-20453 json
IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 is vulnerable to a XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when processing XML data.
published 2021-04-20 5 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2021-7871
- cvss
- 8.2
- version 3.0, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 2.5%
- EPSS 2.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 84%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 is vulnerable to a XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when processing XML data. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose sensitive information or consume memory resources. IBM X-Force ID: 196648.
Patch / fix
- ibm websphere_application_server 8.0.0.15, 8.5.5.20, 9.0.5.8
- ibm.com/support/pages/node/6445171 advisory
Exploit prediction
2.46% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 84% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 3.0 | 8.2 | CVSS:3.0/S:U/PR:N/UI:N/AC:L/I:N/C:H/A:L/AV:N/RC:C/RL:O/E:U |
| NVD | 3.1 | 8.2 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L |
| CNA | 3.0 | 8.2 | CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L |
| NVD | 2.0 | 6.4 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:P |
Affected products
- IBM WebSphere Application Server
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
References
-
ibm.com
/support/pages/node/6445171
patch, vendor-advisory
-
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com
/vulnerabilities/196648
vdb-entry, vendor-advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2021-20453
- NVD CVE-2021-20453
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