CVE-2025-54988: Org.apache.tika:tika parser pdf module: Apache Tika XXE Vulnerability via Crafted XFA File Inside a PDF
Affects org.apache.tika:tika-parser-pdf-moduleSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · public detection template (Nuclei) · CVSS 8.4 High : upgrade to 3.2.2 soon.
Data as of 4 Nov 2026, 18:16 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 3.2.2, 2.0.0-ALPHA
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 org.apache.tika:tika-parser-pdf-module to 3.2.2; org.apache.tika:tika-parsers to 2.0.0-ALPHA.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Mavenorg.apache.tika:tika-parser-pdf-module | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Mavenorg.apache.tika:tika-parsers | 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
Users should upgrade affected Apache Tika packages to version 3.2.2 or 2.0.0-ALPHA, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigation or temporary workaround is indicated. Applying the official patch is the recommended remediation.
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 perform XXE injection, potentially leading to sensitive data disclosure or malicious requests to internal or external servers. The vulnerability affects multiple Tika packages that depend on this module. Upgrading to version 3.2.2 or 2.0.0-ALPHA resolves the issue.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-54988 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/tika/pull/2291 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/tika/commit/2b52257304f4d3cde2b8463657380bdb936d9ef2 (opens in a new tab)
- archive.apache.org/dist/tika/3.2.2/CHANGES-3.2.2.txt (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/apache/tika (opens in a new tab)
- issues.apache.org/jira/browse/TIKA-4459 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apache.org/thread/8xn3rqy6kz5b3l1t83kcofkw0w4mmj1w (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apache.org/thread/stn9oh7rfn9yv76n1srxr9w56oy04p72 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00030.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/20/2 (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/08/20/3 (opens in a new tab)