What is CVE-2017-5992?

CVE-2017-5992 is a high-severity vulnerability in Python Openpyxl, classified under Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE). CVSS score: 8.2/10. Published 2017-02-15.

How severe is CVE-2017-5992?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.2 out of 10.

XXE in Python Openpyxl

CVE-2017-5992

Openpyxl 2.4.1 resolves external entities by default, which allows remote attackers to conduct XXE attacks via a crafted .xlsx document.

Vulnerability class: XXE (XML External Entity)

Published 2017-02-15 · last modified 2026-06-17.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 8.2 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.012 (65.8th percentile), scored 2026-09-29.

Low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, but still tracked. 66th percentile — 65.8% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.012 · newest: 0.012 · change: 0.000

Affected products

Python Openpyxl — versions 2.4.1

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-611 — Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE)

References

bitbucket.org/openpyxl/openpyxl/issues/749 (Third Party Advisory, Issue Tracking)
bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi (Third Party Advisory, Issue Tracking)
bitbucket.org/openpyxl/openpyxl/commits/3b4905f428e1 (Third Party Advisory, Issue Tracking)
www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/02/07/5 (Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-5992?: CVE-2017-5992 is a high-severity vulnerability in Python Openpyxl, classified under Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE). CVSS score: 8.2/10. Published 2017-02-15.
How severe is CVE-2017-5992?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.2 out of 10.