Apache Tika (tika-parser-pdf-module) · Critical XXE
Affects tikaSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · public detection template (Nuclei) · 47% EPSS · CVSS 8.4 High · fixed in 1.22-1ubuntu0.1~esm2 : patch tika soon.
Data as of 5 Nov 2026, 00:01 UTC
- EPSS
- 47.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 98% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1.22-1ubuntu0.1~esm2, 1.22-2+deb11u1build0.22.04.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 20 Aug 2025
Detectable: evidence found.
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 4 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade the Ubuntu tika to 1.22-1ubuntu0.1~esm2 (package) or 1.22-2+deb11u1build0.22.04.1 (package).
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10tikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTStikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10tikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTStikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTStikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTStikapkg:deb/ubuntu/tika?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available. Users should upgrade Apache Tika to version 3.2.2 or later. For Ubuntu users, update to package versions 1.22-1ubuntu0.1~esm2 or 1.22-2+deb11u1build0.22.04.1 as provided in the Ubuntu security notice USN-8324-1. Applying these updates will remediate the vulnerability. Standard system updates on supported Ubuntu releases will include these fixes. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patches.
Description
A critical XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability exists in Apache Tika's tika-parser-pdf-module versions 1.13 through 3.2.1. This flaw allows attackers to exploit crafted XFA files inside PDFs to read sensitive data or send malicious requests to internal or external servers. The vulnerability affects multiple Tika packages that depend on this module. Fixed versions are available, and users are advised to upgrade to version 3.2.2 or the patched Ubuntu package versions.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-54988 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-54988 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/20/3 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/tika/commit/bfee6d5569fe9197c4ea947a96e212825184ca33 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apache.org/thread/8xn3rqy6kz5b3l1t83kcofkw0w4mmj1w (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8324-1 (opens in a new tab)