CVE-2026-22186 MEDIUM

CVE-2026-22186: Bio-Formats <= 8.3.0 XXE in Leica XLEF Metadata Parser

Vendor Open Microscopy Environment
Product Bio-Formats
Weakness CWE-611 · XXE
Published January 7, 2026
Last update March 18, 2026
View on NVD All CVEs

CVSS base score

4.6/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required None
User interaction —
Confidentiality —
Integrity —

CVSS vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

What the vulnerability does

01Description

Bio-Formats versions up to and including 8.3.0 contain an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Leica Microsystems metadata parsing component (e.g., XLEF). The parser uses an insecurely configured DocumentBuilderFactory when processing Leica XML-based metadata files, allowing external entity expansion and external DTD loading. A crafted metadata file can trigger outbound network requests (SSRF), access local system resources where readable, or cause a denial of service during XML parsing.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

January 7, 2026 CVE published
March 18, 2026 Record updated