How severe is CVE-2021-42646?

CVE-2021-42646 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, 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 none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-42646 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-42646?

CVE-2021-42646 primarily affects Wso2 Api Manager. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-42646?

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-2021-42646 published?

CVE-2021-42646 was published on 2022-05-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-42646

CVE-2021-42646 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Wso2 Api Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-611.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.1)
CVSS v2: 6.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-611
Affected product: Wso2 Api Manager
Published: 2022-05-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the file based service provider creation feature of the Management Console in WSO2 API Manager 2.6.0, 3.0.0, 3.1.0, 3.2.0, and 4.0.0; and WSO2 IS as Key Manager 5.7.0, 5.9.0, and 5.10.0; and WSO2 Identity Server 5.7.0, 5.8.0, 5.9.0, 5.10.0, and 5.11.0. Allows attackers to gain read access to sensitive information or cause a denial of service via crafted GET requests.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-42646?: XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the file based service provider creation feature of the Management Console in WSO2 API Manager 2.6.0, 3.0.0, 3.1.0, 3.2.0, and 4.0.0; and WSO2 IS as Key Manager 5.7.0, 5.9.0, and 5.10.0; and WSO2 Identity Server 5.7.0, 5.8.0, 5.9.0, 5.10.0, and 5.11.0. Allows attackers to gain read access to sensitive information or cause a denial of service via crafted GET requests.
How severe is CVE-2021-42646?: CVE-2021-42646 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, 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 none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-42646 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-42646?: CVE-2021-42646 primarily affects Wso2 Api Manager. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-42646?: 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-2021-42646 published?: CVE-2021-42646 was published on 2022-05-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:a:wso2:api_manager:2.6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:api_manager:3.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:api_manager:3.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:api_manager:3.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:api_manager:4.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server:5.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server:5.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server:5.9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server:5.10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server:5.11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server_as_key_manager:5.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server_as_key_manager:5.9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wso2:identity_server_as_key_manager:5.10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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