# CVE-2017-12620: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in Apache OpenNLP

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2017-12620-improper-restriction-of-xml-external-entity-reference-in-apache  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-05-17  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2017-12620 · Severity: low · CVSS 3 · Published 2022-05-17

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in Apache OpenNLP

Technologies: [org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/org-apache-opennlp-opennlp-tools). Vendors: [Maven](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/maven).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2017-12620 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2017-12620 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2017-12620?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3, published 17 May 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.5.0,fixed=1.8.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2017-12620?** Yes. org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven): upgrade to 1.8.2 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2017-12620?** Check whether you run org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven): upgrade to 1.8.2 or later

  ```sh
  # set org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools to 1.8.2 in your pom.xml or build.gradle
  ```


## Affected products

- org.apache.opennlp:opennlp-tools (Maven) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.5.0,fixed=1.8.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2017-12620
- GHSA-h22x-hm8g-rxpg

## Related threats

- [Apache OpenNLP denial of service in AbstractModelReader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42440-apache-opennlp-denial-of-service-in-abstractmodelreader)
- [Apache OpenNLP arbitrary class instantiation in ExtensionLoader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42027-apache-opennlp-arbitrary-class-instantiation-in-extensionloader)
- [Apache OpenNLP XXE in DictionaryEntryPersistor](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40682-apache-opennlp-xxe-in-dictionaryentrypersistor)