CVE-2025-34490: GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue

Q: How do I fix CVE-2025-34490?

mailessentials: upgrade to 21.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2025-34490 being exploited?

CVE-2025-34490 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2025-34490 affect?

CVE-2025-34490 affects mailessentials. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. An authenticated and remote attacker can send crafted HTTP requests to read arbitrary system files.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2025-34490?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference

This month

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2025-34490 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting mailessentials. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. An authenticated and remote attacker can send crafted HTTP requests to read arbitrary system files.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 46%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2025-04-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: gfi

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-04-28 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 09:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gfi mailessentials UPGRADE

Affected: < 21.8

Fixed in: 21.8

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mailessentials || rpm -q mailessentials || mailessentials --version

2. UPGRADE to 21.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade mailessentials

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade mailessentials

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-34490?

mailessentials: upgrade to 21.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-34490 being exploited?

CVE-2025-34490 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-34490 affect?

CVE-2025-34490 affects mailessentials. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. An authenticated and remote attacker can send crafted HTTP requests to read arbitrary system files.

How urgent is CVE-2025-34490?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-34491 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to a .NET deserialization issue
CVE-2025-34489 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE GFI MailEssentials prior to version 21.8 is vulnerable to a local privilege escalation issue

References

← Back to latest CVEs