Apache CXF: Denial of Service attack via large attachments
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-770.
Summary
Apache CXF allows to control the maximum attachment size via the "attachment-max-size". Prior to Apache CXF 4.2.3 and 4.1.8 and 3.6.12, there was no default placed on this size, meaning that a denial of service attack is possible if the user doesn't explicitly set the limit. Users should update to Apache CXF 4.2.3 or 4.1.8 or 3.6.12 which fixes this problem by imposing a default attachment size limit of 50mb.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Apache CXF | 4.2.0 to before 4.2.3; 4.0.0 to before 4.1.8; before 3.6.12 | 4.2.3, 4.1.8, 3.6.12 | Patch available | CNA |
- Apache CXF VendorApache Affected 4.2.0 to before 4.2.3; 4.0.0 to before 4.1.8; before 3.6.12 Fixed in 4.2.3, 4.1.8, 3.6.12 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Apache CXF (Apache Software Foundation) Fixed in 4.2.3, 4.1.8, 3.6.12
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Apache CXF 3.6.12, 4.1.8, 4.2.3
12 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 10 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-47481 Apache CXF: Unsafe deserialization of inbound JMS ObjectMessagePriority MEDIUM 51
- TI-2026-47860 Apache CXF: DefaultEncryptingCodeDataProvider allows unlimited authorization code replayPriority MEDIUM 50
- TI-2026-46751 Apache CXF: Self-issued ID token claims validation skippedPriority MEDIUM 47
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-54225
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-h9mr-9vh5-65gw
References
More Apache Cxf vulnerabilities
- TI-2019-09264 Incorrect authorization in Apache CXF CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2020-10930 Apache CXF Reflected XSS in the services listing page via the styleSheetPath CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
- TI-2010-01990 Apache CXF 2.0.x before 2.0.13, 2.1.x before 2.1.10, and 2.2.x before 2.2.9, as used in… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2022-22907 Apache CXF SSRF Vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-47481 Apache CXF: Unsafe deserialization of inbound JMS ObjectMessage CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-31053 Apache CXF: Untrusted JMS configuration can lead to RCE CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-54225 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-54225 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-h9mr-9vh5-65gw · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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