Critical XXE Vulnerability in Apache Tika Demands Immediate Attention
A critical security vulnerability has been identified in Apache Tika, a widely used open-source toolkit for content detection and analysis. This flaw, designated as CVE-2025-66516, has been assigned a maximum severity rating of 10.0 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), underscoring the urgent need for remediation.
Understanding the Vulnerability
The vulnerability resides in multiple components of Apache Tika, specifically:
– tika-core: Versions from 1.13 up to and including 3.2.1.
– tika-pdf-module: Versions from 2.0.0 up to and including 3.2.1.
– tika-parsers: Versions from 1.13 up to but not including 2.0.0.
This security flaw allows attackers to execute XML External Entity (XXE) injection attacks by embedding malicious XFA (XML Forms Architecture) files within PDFs. Such attacks can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, server-side request forgery, and, in some cases, remote code execution.
Scope and Impact
CVE-2025-66516 is an extension of a previously reported vulnerability, CVE-2025-54988. The earlier report identified the issue within the `tika-parser-pdf-module`. However, further analysis revealed that the root cause lies in the `tika-core` component. Consequently, users who updated only the `tika-parser-pdf-module` without upgrading `tika-core` to version 3.2.2 or later remain vulnerable.
Additionally, the initial report did not account for the `tika-parsers` module in the 1.x releases, where the `PDFParser` resides. This omission has been rectified in the current advisory, expanding the list of affected components.
Recommended Actions
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, users are strongly advised to:
1. Upgrade `tika-core`: Ensure that your installation is updated to version 3.2.2 or later.
2. Update `tika-pdf-module`: Upgrade to version 3.2.2 or later.
3. Update `tika-parsers`: For users of the 1.x releases, upgrade to version 2.0.0 or later.
Promptly applying these updates is crucial to protect systems from potential exploitation.
Technical Details
XXE vulnerabilities occur when an application processes XML input that includes references to external entities. If not properly handled, this can allow attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, initiate internal network requests, or execute code remotely. In the context of Apache Tika, processing a maliciously crafted PDF containing an XFA file can trigger such an attack.
Broader Implications
Apache Tika is integral to numerous applications and services that require content extraction and metadata analysis from various file formats. The widespread use of Tika means that this vulnerability could have far-reaching consequences if left unaddressed. Organizations relying on Tika should assess their exposure and take immediate steps to secure their systems.
Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-66516 highlights the importance of diligent software maintenance and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management. By promptly updating the affected components of Apache Tika, organizations can safeguard their systems against potential attacks and maintain the integrity of their data processing workflows.
