What is CVE-2025-66516?

CVE-2025-66516 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Tika Core, classified under Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE). CVSS score: 8.4/10. Published 2025-12-04.

How severe is CVE-2025-66516?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.4 out of 10.

Is CVE-2025-66516 known to be exploited?

4 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

XXE in Apache Software Foundation Tika Core

CVE-2025-66516

Critical XXE in Apache Tika tika-core (1.13-3.2.1), tika-pdf-module (2.0.0-3.2.1) and tika-parsers (1.13-1.28.5) modules on all platforms allows an attacker to carry out XML External Entity injection via a crafted XFA file inside of a PDF…

Vulnerability class: XXE (XML External Entity)

EPSS: 0.798 (99.6th 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 Software Foundation Tika Core — versions 1.13
Apache Software Foundation Tika Parsers — versions 1.13
Apache Software Foundation Tika Pdf Parser Module — versions 2.0.0

Weakness classification (CWE)

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

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

lists.apache.org/thread/s5x3k93nhbkqzztp1olxotoyjpdlps9k (vendor-advisory)
cve.org/CVERecord (related)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-66516?: CVE-2025-66516 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Tika Core, classified under Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE). CVSS score: 8.4/10. Published 2025-12-04.
How severe is CVE-2025-66516?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.4 out of 10.
Is CVE-2025-66516 known to be exploited?: 4 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.