CVE-2016-5851

Name: CVE-2016-5851
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-21T22:59:00.17+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 2.35%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-5851 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. python-docx before 0.8.6 allows context-dependent attackers to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted document.. EPSS estimates a 2.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

python-docx before 0.8.6 allows context-dependent attackers to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted document.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

2.35%

81.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-611

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Python-Openxml Project	Python-Docx	<= 0.8.5

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91485Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/blob/v0.8.6/HISTORY.rstPatch, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/commit/61b40b161b64173ab8e362aec1fd197948431beb
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6FFMOH7ZPOPQWNJGUZOS5LXX4MGNRXXT/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XU2WSYRNB7CLBBFCGSX34XHACTA2SWDZ/
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91485Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/blob/v0.8.6/HISTORY.rstPatch, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/commit/61b40b161b64173ab8e362aec1fd197948431beb
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6FFMOH7ZPOPQWNJGUZOS5LXX4MGNRXXT/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XU2WSYRNB7CLBBFCGSX34XHACTA2SWDZ/

Timeline

Published: Dec 21, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-5851?

python-docx before 0.8.6 allows context-dependent attackers to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted document.

How severe is CVE-2016-5851?

CVE-2016-5851 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.35% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5851?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

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Source: NVD / NIST