# CVE-2026-66090: openEQUELLA XXE in item metadata XML parser

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66090-in-openequella-before-2026-1-the-xml-parser-used-for-item  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-29. Updated: 2026-10-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-66090 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-29

openEQUELLA is a digital asset management and learning object repository used by educational institutions to manage educational content. An authenticated attacker with item creation privileges can exploit an XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the metadata parser to read arbitrary files from the server or make unauthorized requests to internal systems and cloud metadata services, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data and credentials.

Technologies: [openEQUELLA](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openequella). Vendors: [openEQUELLA](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/openequella).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-66090 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-66090 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-66090?** Informational severity, published 29 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** openEQUELLA before 2026.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-66090?** Yes: fixed in openEQUELLA 2026.1. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-66090 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-66090?** Check whether you run openEQUELLA 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

- Fixed in openEQUELLA 2026.1

## Technical details

The XML parser in openEQUELLA's item metadata handling does not disable external entity resolution, allowing XXE attacks. An authenticated user with CREATE_ITEM permissions can submit malicious XML via POST /api/item to trigger arbitrary file reads or server-side request forgery (SSRF) to cloud metadata endpoints. The vulnerability requires valid credentials but can lead to information disclosure and lateral movement opportunities.

## Affected products

- openEQUELLA openEQUELLA before 2026.1

## Timeline

- 2026-10-29: disclosed

## References

- [https://github.com/openequella/openEQUELLA/security/advisories/GHSA-668q-3hpr-6c96](https://github.com/openequella/openEQUELLA/security/advisories/GHSA-668q-3hpr-6c96)
- [https://openequella.github.io/guides/](https://openequella.github.io/guides/)

## Related threats

- [openEQUELLA stored cross-site scripting in login notice](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66092-in-openequella-before-2026-2-the-pre-login-notice-is-stored-as)
- [openEQUELLA authentication bypass in user info endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66091-in-openequella-before-2026-1-the-get-api-userquery-userinfobackup)
- [openEQUELLA XML external entity injection in SOAP API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66089-in-openequella-before-2026-1-the-soap-api-parses-xml-supplied-in)
- [openEQUELLA OS command injection in scripting engine](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66088-in-openequella-before-2026-1-the-system-execute-function)
- [openEQUELLA stored XSS in pre-login notice image upload](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16889-in-openequella-before-2026-1-the-pre-login-notice-image-upload)