XXE in Apache Tika
CVE-2025-54988
Critical XXE in Apache Tika (tika-parser-pdf-module) in Apache Tika 1.13 through and including 3.2.1 on all platforms allows an attacker to carry out XML External Entity injection via a crafted XFA file inside of a PDF. An attacker may be…
Vulnerability class: XXE (XML External Entity)
EPSS: 0.030 (85.7th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 8.4 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Apache Tika
- Apache Software Foundation Tika Pdf Parser Module — versions 1.13
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security@apache.org (vendor-advisory, Mailing List, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory)
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-54988?
- CVE-2025-54988 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Tika, classified under Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE). CVSS score: 8.4/10. Published 2025-08-20.
- How severe is CVE-2025-54988?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.4 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2025-54988 known to be exploited?
- 6 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.