CVE-2026-34401 json
XML Notepad: XML External Entity (XXE) Injection via Unsafe XmlTextReader in XML Diff and Schema Loading
published 2026-03-31 7 mo ago modified 2026-07-24 3 mo ago also EUVD-2026-17666
- cvss
- 6.5
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 1.0%
- EPSS 1.0% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 63%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
XML Notepad is a Windows program that provides a simple intuitive User Interface for browsing and editing XML documents. Prior to version 2.9.0.21, XML Notepad does not disable DTD processing by default which means external entities are resolved automatically. There is a well known attack related to malicious DTD files where an attacker to craft a malicious XML file that loads a DTD that causes XML Notepad to make outbound HTTP/SMB requests, potentially leaking local file contents or capturing the victim's NTLM credentials. This issue has been patched in version 2.9.0.21.
Patch / fix
- microsoft xml_notepad 2.9.0.21
CISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- Proof of concept is public
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- partial
- Assessed
- 7 mo ago
Exploit prediction
1.02% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 63% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
Exploits and checks
- github.com https://github.com/microsoft/XmlNotepad/security/advisories/GHSA-5j32-486h-42ch referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 3.1 | 6.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
Affected products
- microsoft XmlNotepad
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
References
-
github.com
/microsoft/XmlNotepad/commit/3665603d61ba10b7827a3724e854748cb780140c
patch
-
github.com
/microsoft/XmlNotepad/commit/c03ab2311ac6960452eb1ab49098768f851dcc53
patch
-
github.com
/microsoft/XmlNotepad/security/advisories/GHSA-5j32-486h-42ch
exploit, mitigation, vendor-advisory
-
github.com
/microsoft/XmlNotepad/releases/tag/2.9.0.21
product, release-notes
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2026-34401
- NVD CVE-2026-34401
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