---
id: CVE-2026-22186
title: >-
  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)
summary: >-
  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 pro…
severity: high
cvss: 7.1
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-611
vendor: openmicroscopy
product: bio-formats
affected:
  - bio-formats <= 8.3.0
published: '2026-01-07'
updated: '2026-10-08'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-08T16:17:10.947'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22186'
references:
  - url: 'https://docs.openmicroscopy.org/bio-formats/'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/ome/bioformats/security/advisories/GHSA-x9vc-qh97-8gjp'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Jan/6'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/bio-formats-xxe-in-leica-xlef-metadata-parser
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
  - exploit-available
  - score-dispute
exploitAvailable: true
ssvc:
  exploitation: poc
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-01-07T21:16:47.850182Z'
scores:
  nvd: 7.1
  cna: 4.6
epss: 0.00173
epssPercentile: 0.06107
ingestedAt: '2026-10-08T16:52:14.669Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Affected

- `bio-formats <= 8.3.0`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.