CWE-643
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Data within XPath Expressions ('XPath Injection')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Incomplete
The product uses external input to dynamically construct an XPath expression used to retrieve data from an XML database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes that input. This allows an attacker to control the structure of the query.
31 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-WXR2-PWC5-7WGV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-14 18:31 – Updated: 2025-08-14 18:31A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to retrieve sensitive information from an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to retrieve sensitive information from the affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-20218"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-643"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-14T17:15:35Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to retrieve sensitive information from an affected device.\n\nThis vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the web-based management interface of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to retrieve sensitive information from the affected device.\nTo exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials.",
"id": "GHSA-wxr2-pwc5-7wgv",
"modified": "2025-08-14T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2025-08-14T18:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20218"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-fmc-xpathinj-COrThdMb"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Use parameterized XPath queries (e.g. using XQuery). This will help ensure separation between data plane and control plane.
Mitigation
Properly validate user input. Reject data where appropriate, filter where appropriate and escape where appropriate. Make sure input that will be used in XPath queries is safe in that context.
No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.