CVE-2025-64518: CycloneDX Core (Java) BOM Validation Is Vulnerable To Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2025-64518 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) bom validation is vulnerable to vulnerability (CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) affecting CycloneDX Core (Java) libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves bom validation is vulnerable to xml external entity injection. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 11.0.1.
CVE-2025-64518 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2025-64518
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected CycloneDX Core (Java) dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.cyclonedx</groupId>
<artifactId>cyclonedx-core-java</artifactId>
<version>11.0.1</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cyclonedxHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2025-64518, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cyclonedxAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of CycloneDX Core (Java) in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 11.0.1), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.cyclonedx command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, where the product processes an xml document that can contain xml entities with uris that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output. In CycloneDX Core (Java), software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2025-64518 Affected CycloneDX Core (Java) Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.cyclonedx:cyclonedx-core-java
|
Maven |
≥ 2.1.0
< 11.0.1
|
11.0.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-64518?
Which CycloneDX Core (Java) versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2025-64518?
Is cyclonedx-core-java affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-64518?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-64518?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2025-64518?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-6fhj-vr9j-g45r",
"modified" : "2025-11-15T02:46:38Z",
"published" : "2025-11-10T21:04:03Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-64518" ],
"summary" : "CycloneDX Core (Java): BOM validation is vulnerable to XML External Entity injection ",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nThe XML [`Validator`](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/javax/xml/validation/Validator.html) used by cyclonedx-core-java was not configured securely, making the library vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) injection.\n\nThe fix for GHSA-683x-4444-jxh8 / CVE-2024-38374 has been incomplete in that it only fixed *parsing* of XML BOMs, but not *validation*.\n\n### Patches\n\nThe vulnerability has been fixed in cyclonedx-core-java version 11.0.1.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nIf feasible, applications can reject XML documents before handing them to cyclonedx-core-java for validation.\nThis may be an option if incoming CycloneDX BOMs are known to be in JSON format.\n\n### References\n\n* The issue was introduced via https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/commit/162aa594f347b3f612fe0a45071693c3cd398ce9\n* The issue was fixed via https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/pull/737\n* https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/XML_External_Entity_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html#schemafactory",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.cyclonedx:cyclonedx-core-java"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.1.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "11.0.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/security/advisories/GHSA-6fhj-vr9j-g45r"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-64518"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/pull/737"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/commit/162aa594f347b3f612fe0a45071693c3cd398ce9"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java/commit/af0ec75c93c03f93733a070c5132554490af5314"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/XML_External_Entity_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html#schemafactory"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-core-java"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-611" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-11-10T21:04:03Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2025-11-10T22:15:40Z"
}
}