CVE-2025-52891

ModSecurity empty XML tag causes segmentation fault

Description

ModSecurity is an open source, cross platform web application firewall (WAF) engine for Apache, IIS and Nginx. In versions 2.9.8 to before 2.9.11, an empty XML tag can cause a segmentation fault. If SecParseXmlIntoArgs is set to On or OnlyArgs, and the request type is application/xml, and at least one XML tag is empty (eg <foo></foo>), then a segmentation fault occurs. This issue has been patched in version 2.9.11. A workaround involves setting SecParseXmlIntoArgs to Off.

References

Link	Tags
https://github.com/owasp-modsecurity/ModSecurity/security/advisories/GHSA-gw9c-4wfm-vj3x
https://github.com/owasp-modsecurity/ModSecurity/commit/ecd7b9736836eee391d25f35d5bd06a3ce35a45d

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-52891?: CVE-2025-52891 has been scored as a medium severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2025-52891?: To fix CVE-2025-52891, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2025-52891 being actively exploited in the wild?: As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2025-52891 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2025-52891?: CVE-2025-52891 affects owasp-modsecurity ModSecurity.

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Description

Category

CWE-20 – Improper Input Validation

References

Frequently Asked Questions