Gucralp - XXE (CVE-2022-38840)

CVE-2022-38840 is an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in the cgi-bin/xmlstatus.cgi component of Gucralp MAN-EAM-0003 version 3.2.4, which allows remote attackers to upload malicious XML files and access sensitive local files on the server. This flaw could be exploited to disclose confidential information, posing a significant risk to data security.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 15th of October 2025.

Insights from the CrowdSec network reveal that the attackers trying to exploit CVE-2022-38840 are composed of a fairly even mix of opportunistic and targeted actors. Some attackers employ preliminary reconnaissance, while others use indiscriminate scanning. Data from the CrowdSec community also indicates a gradual decrease in attacks targeting CVE-2022-38840. While still present in the wild, exploitation levels have dropped noticeably week-over-week. This may signal that the vulnerability is becoming less relevant or that defenses are improving fast enough for attackers to lose interest.

Attackers exploit the /cgi-bin/xmlstatus.cgi endpoint by uploading specially crafted XML files containing external entity references, enabling them to read sensitive files from the server via XML External Entity (XXE) injection.