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Vulnerability · Published Jul 15, 2025 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2025-53621DSpace vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) injection in import via Simple Archive Format (SAF) or import from external sources

Medium 6.9

In plain English

A medium-severity XML external entity in DSpace from DSpace. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.4% (higher than 38% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)6.9Medium
Exploit odds (30 days)0.4%top 61.9% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources. Two related XML External Entity (XXE) injection possibilities impact all versions of DSpace prior to 7.6.4, 8.2, and 9.1. External entities are not disabled when parsing XML files during import of an archive (in Simple Archive Format), either from command-line (`./dspace import` command) or from the "Batch Import (Zip)" user interface feature. External entities are also not explicitly disabled when parsing XML responses from some upstream services (ArXiv, Crossref, OpenAIRE, Creative Commons) used in import from external sources via the user interface or REST API. An XXE injection in these files may result in a connection being made to an attacker's site or a local path readable by the Tomcat user, with content potentially being injected into a metadata field. In the latter case, this may result in sensitive content disclosure, including retrieving arbitrary files or configurations from the server where DSpace is running. The Simple Archive Format (SAF) importer / Batch Import (Zip) is only usable by site administrators (from user interface / REST API) or system administrators (from command-line). Therefore, to exploit this vulnerability, the malicious payload would have to be provided by an attacker and trusted by an administrator, who would trigger the import. The fix is included in DSpace 7.6.4, 8.2, and 9.1. Please upgrade to one of these versions. For those who cannot upgrade immediately, it is possible to manually patch the DSpace backend. One may also apply some best practices, though the protection provided is not as complete as upgrading. Administrators must carefully inspect any SAF archives (they did not construct themselves) before importing. As necessary, affected external services can be disabled to mitigate the ability for payloads to be delivered via external service APIs.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
Mavenorg.dspace:dspace-api7.6.4GHSA-jjwr-5cfh-7xwh
Mavenorg.dspace:dspace-api8.2GHSA-jjwr-5cfh-7xwh
Mavenorg.dspace:dspace-api9.1GHSA-jjwr-5cfh-7xwh

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
DSpace DSpace < 7.6.4>= 8.0, < 8.2>= 9.0, < 9.1

Weakness: CWE-611 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L

References