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Vulnerability record · CVE-2023-3823 · published 11 August 2023

CVE-2023-3823: Php xml external entity (xxe) vulnerability

Php · Php

In PHP versions 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8 various XML functions rely on libxml global state to track configuration variables, like whether external entities are loaded. This state is assumed to be unchanged unless the user explicitly changes it by calling appropriate function. However, since the state is process-global, other modules - such as ImageMagick - may also use this library within the same process, and change that global state for their internal purposes, and leave it in a state where external entities loading is enabled. This can lead to the situation where external XML is parsed with external entities loaded, which can lead to disclosure of any local files accessible to PHP. This vulnerable state may persist in the same process across many requests, until the process is shut down.

7.5 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 1.6% · top 24.6% CWE-611 · XML external entity (XXE)
7.5CVSS 3.1 base score
1.6%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
8References, 2 tagged exploit
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

In PHP versions 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8 various XML functions rely on libxml global state to track configuration variables, like whether external entities are loaded. This state is assumed to be unchanged unless the user explicitly changes it by calling appropriate function. However, since the state is process-global, other modules - such as ImageMagick - may also use this library within the same process, and change that global state for their internal purposes, and leave it in a state where external entities loading is enabled. This can lead to the situation where external XML is parsed with external entities loaded, which can lead to disclosure of any local files accessible to PHP. This vulnerable state may persist in the same process across many requests, until the process is shut down.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-3qrf-m4j2-pcrr ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00002.html Mailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/7NBF77WN6DTVTY2RE73IGPYD6 Mailing List
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230825-0001/ Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-3qrf-m4j2-pcrr ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00002.html Mailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/7NBF77WN6DTVTY2RE73IGPYD6 Mailing List
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230825-0001/ Third Party Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2023-3823), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-29). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.