Critical XXE Bug CVE-2025-66516 Discovered in Apache Tika
A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Apache Tika that could allow an XML external entity (XXE) injection attack. This flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-66516, carries the highest possible severity rating of 10.0 on the CVSS scale. The vulnerability affects several Apache Tika modules, including tika-core, tika-pdf-module, and tika-parsers, across multiple versions and platforms.
The affected versions include tika-core from 1.13 to 3.2.1, tika-pdf-module from 2.0.0 to 3.2.1, and tika-parsers from 1.13 to 1.28.5. This broad range of impacted versions means that many users of Apache Tika are potentially exposed to this critical security flaw. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the XML external entity processing feature, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise.
Understanding the Impact of the Critical XXE Bug CVE
The critical xxe bug cve-2025-66516 poses a serious threat because it enables attackers to inject malicious XML content into applications using Apache Tika. This injection can cause the application to process external entities in XML files, which may expose internal files or services to attackers. Since Apache Tika is widely used for content analysis and extraction, this vulnerability could have far-reaching consequences if exploited.
Due to the severity of this flaw, it is essential for organizations using Apache Tika to assess their exposure immediately. The critical xxe bug cve requires urgent attention because it can be exploited on all platforms where the affected modules are deployed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or steal sensitive information.
Urgent Patch Needed to Mitigate the Critical XXE Bug CVE-2025-66516
Apache has released patches to address the critical xxe bug cve-2025-66516 in the affected modules. Users of Apache Tika are strongly advised to update to the latest patched versions as soon as possible. Applying these updates will help prevent potential exploitation and secure systems against this high-risk vulnerability.
Failing to patch this critical flaw leaves systems vulnerable to attacks that could compromise data integrity and confidentiality. Given the maximum CVSS score of 10.0, the critical xxe bug cve-2025-66516 demands immediate remediation efforts. Organizations should prioritize deploying the fixes and reviewing their security measures related to XML processing.
In summary, the discovery of the critical xxe bug cve-2025-66516 in Apache Tika highlights the importance of timely security updates. The vulnerability affects multiple modules and versions, making it a widespread concern. Prompt patching and vigilance are necessary to protect systems from this severe XML external entity injection risk.
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Source: original article.