CVE-2009-1699Safari XXE
The XSL stylesheet implementation in WebKit in Apple Safari before 4.0, iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 does not properly handle XML external entities, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted DTD, as…
Published Jun 10, 2009 · Updated Apr 22, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2009-1699 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Safari (Apple), Iphone OS (Apple), Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) and 2 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Iphone OS 2.2.1, Safari 4.0, qt4-x11 4.4.3-1+lenny1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
29%
Higher than 98.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
45/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
2
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
3
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisory35379
- advisoryhttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT3639
- advisory35321
- advisoryUSN-857-1
- patchAPPLE-SA-2009-06-08-1
- patchhttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT3613
Description
The XSL stylesheet implementation in WebKit in Apple Safari before 4.0, iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 does not properly handle XML external entities, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted DTD, as demonstrated by a file:///etc/passwd URL in an entity declaration, related to an "XXE attack."
Affected Products
7 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| SafariApple | See advisory | 4.0 |
| Iphone OSApple | See advisory | 2.2.1 |
| Ubuntu LinuxCanonical | 8.10, 9.04 | n/a |
| OpensuseOpensuse | 11.2, 11.3 | n/a |
| qt4-x11debian | See advisory | 4.4.3-1+lenny1 |
Patched Releases
Iphone OS
2.2.1
Safari
4.0
qt4-x11
4.4.3-1+lenny1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jun 10, 2009
Last updated
Apr 22, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
References
- advisory35379
- advisorysupport.apple.com · HT3639
- advisory35321
- advisoryUSN-857-1
- patchAPPLE-SA-2009-06-08-1
FAQ
Common Questions.
The XSL stylesheet implementation in WebKit in Apple Safari before 4.0, iPhone OS 1.0 through 2.2.1, and iPhone OS for iPod touch 1.1 through 2.2.1 does not properly handle XML external entities, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted DTD, as demonstrated by a file:///etc/passwd URL in an…
Affected: Safari (Apple); Iphone OS (Apple); Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) versions 8.10, 9.04, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Iphone OS 2.2.1, Safari 4.0, qt4-x11 4.4.3-1+lenny1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2009-1699 On Your Attack Surface?
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