Vulnerability Details CVE-2026-40023
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.
Exploit prediction scoring system (EPSS) score
EPSS Score 0.002
EPSS Ranking 36.4%
CVSS Severity
CVSS v3 Score 5.3
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
Products affected by CVE-2026-40023
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:-
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.10.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.11.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.12.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.12.1
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.13.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:0.9.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.0.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.1.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.2.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.3.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.3.1
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.4.0
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cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4cxx:1.5.0