CVE-2018-1285

CVE-2018-1285 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Log4net with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 50% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-611.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
• CVSS v2: 7.5
• EPSS exploit prediction: 50% (99th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-611
• Affected product: Apache Log4net
• Published: 2020-05-11
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Apache log4net versions before 2.0.10 do not disable XML external entities when parsing log4net configuration files. This allows for XXE-based attacks in applications that accept attacker-controlled log4net configuration files.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-1285?

Apache log4net versions before 2.0.10 do not disable XML external entities when parsing log4net configuration files. This allows for XXE-based attacks in applications that accept attacker-controlled log4net configuration files.

How severe is CVE-2018-1285?

CVE-2018-1285 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-1285 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 50% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-1285?

CVE-2018-1285 primarily affects Apache Log4net. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-1285?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-1285 published?

CVE-2018-1285 was published on 2020-05-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/LOG4NET-575
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r00b16ac5e0bbf7009a0d167ed58f3f94d0033b0f4b3e3d5025cc4872%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r33564de316d4e4ba0fea1d4d079e62cde1ffe64369c1157243d840d9%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r525cbbd7db0aef4a114cf60de8439aa285decc34904d42a7f14f39c3%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6543acafca3e2d24ff4b0c364a91540cb9378977ffa8d37a03ab4b0f%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7ab6b6e702f11a6f77b0db2af2d5e5532f56ae4b99b5fe73c5200b6a%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9de86a185575e6c5f92e2a70a1d2e2e9514dc4341251577aac8e3866%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd2d72a017e238d1f345f9d14e075c81be16fc68a41c9e9ad9e29a732%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdbac24c945ca5c69cd5348b5ac023bc625768f653335de146e09ae2d%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/reab1c277c95310bad1038255e0757857b2fbe291411b4fa84552028a%40%3Cdev.logging.apache.org%3E
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/M2U233HVAQDSZ2PRG4XSGDASLY3J6ALH/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VKL2LPINAI6BCMXOH4V4HVHGLUXIWOFO/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VT2DNNSW7C7FNK3MA3SLEUHGW5USYZKE/
• https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220909-0001/
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
• https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2021.html

Affected products (11)

• cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4net:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:application_testing_suite:13.3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:hospitality_opera_5:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:hospitality_opera_5:5.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:hospitality_simphony:18.2.7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:oracle:hospitality_simphony:19.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:manageability_software_development_kit:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapcenter:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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• CVE-2019-14678 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SAS XML Mapper 9.45 has an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that can be leveraged by malicious attackers in…
• CVE-2015-9280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): MailEnable before 8.60 allows XXE via an XML document in the request.aspx Options parameter.
• CVE-2018-1000838 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): autopsy version <= 4.9.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in CaseMetadata XML Parser that can result…
• CVE-2018-1000837 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UML Designer version <= 8.0.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in XML parser for plugins that can…
• CVE-2018-1000835 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): KeePassDX version <= 2.5.0.0beta17 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in kdbx file parser that can…

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