CVE-2026-40023
What it is
Apache Log4cxx's XMLLayout https://logging.apache.org/log4cxx/1.7.0/classlog4cxx_1_1xml_1_1XMLLayout.html , in versions before 1.7.0, fails to sanitize characters forbidden by the XML 1.0 specification https://www.w3.org/TR/xml/#charsets in log messages, NDC, and MDC property keys and values, producing invalid XML output. Conforming XML parsers must reject such documents with a fatal error, which may cause downstream log processing systems to drop or fail to index affected records. An attacker who can influence logged data can exploit this to suppress individual log records, impairing audit trails and detection of malicious activity. Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Log4cxx 1.7.0, which fixes this issue.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.
- Exploit odds
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 6.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-116
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Apache log4cxx < 1.7.0
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 6.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-40023.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-40023. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/apache/logging-log4cxx/pull/609
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/y15cv3zblg3dfwr5vy6ddbnl4zyrzr8b
- https://logging.apache.org/security.html#CVE-2026-40023
References
- https://github.com/apache/logging-log4cxx/pull/609
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/y15cv3zblg3dfwr5vy6ddbnl4zyrzr8b
- https://logging.apache.org/cyclonedx/vdr.xml
- https://logging.apache.org/log4cxx/1.7.0/classlog4cxx_1_1xml_1_1XMLLayout.html
- https://logging.apache.org/security.html#CVE-2026-40023
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/10/12