Cyber Resilience

CVE-2016-9563

XXE in Sap Netweaver Application Server Java 7.50

CISA KEVActive ExploitationEUVD ExploitedXXE
Published
23 November 2016
Modified
21 April 2026
KEV Added
03 November 2021
CVSS Score v3.1 6.5
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.24 98th percentile
Risk Priority 76 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2016-9563 is a medium-severity Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611) vulnerability in Sap Netweaver Application Server Java. Its CVSS base score is 6.5 (Medium).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

The vulnerability CVE-2016-9563 is an XML External Entity (XXE) flaw, tracked as CWE-611, that affects the BC-BMT-BPM-DSK component in SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA 7.5. It is reachable via the sap.com~tc~bpem~him~uwlconn~provider~web/bpemuwlconn URI and is addressed in SAP Security Note 2296909.

Remote authenticated users can exploit the issue over the network with low attack complexity and no user interaction required, achieving high confidentiality impact while leaving integrity and availability unaffected, as reflected in its CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5.

References including SAP note 2296909, ErpScan advisory 16-034, and SecurityFocus BID 92419 document the vulnerability and point to associated remediation guidance.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

BC-BMT-BPM-DSK in SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA 7.5 allows remote authenticated users to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via the sap.com~tc~bpem~him~uwlconn~provider~web/bpemuwlconn URI, aka SAP Security Note 2296909.

CWE(s)
KEV Date Added
03 November 2021

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
T1005 Data from Local System Collection
Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.
T1213 Data from Information Repositories Collection
Adversaries may leverage information repositories to mine valuable information.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2024-24743Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Java
CVE-2016-2386Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2017-12637Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2016-3976Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2020-6287Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2010-5326Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2016-2388Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Javaboth on KEV
CVE-2023-42477Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Java
CVE-2025-42926Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Java
CVE-2023-24526Same product: Sap Netweaver Application Server Java

Affected Assets

sap
netweaver application server java
7.50

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V1.5.1
  • V15.3.2

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-611

Penetration testing includes XML external entity payloads, detecting XXE vulnerabilities and enabling their mitigation.

addresses: CWE-611

Identifies XML external entity processing via monitoring of unusual file/network access or resource usage.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-01 mostly match
prevents

Hardened XML parser configurations directly disable external entity resolution.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices include input validation and safe XML parser configuration that prevent XXE.

ID.RA-01 partial match
prevents

Vulnerability scanning can discover XXE flaws but does not prevent their introduction in code.

PR.PS-02 partial match
prevents

Patching eliminates XXE-vulnerable parser versions but is only one aspect of software maintenance.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

finds

Security testing in development catches XXE via static analysis and dynamic XML fuzzing.

finds

Vulnerability management identifies and patches XML libraries with unsafe default entity settings.

prevents

Secure development life cycle mandates input validation and entity handling that directly prevents XXE.

prevents

Application security requirements explicitly call for disabling external entity processing in XML parsers.

prevents

Secure architecture principles include safe parser configuration that mitigates external entity risks.

prevents

Secure coding standards require disabling DTDs and external entities in XML processing.

References