CVE-2026-40021
Publication date 10 April 2026
Last updated 10 July 2026
Ubuntu priority
Description
Apache Log4net's XmlLayout https://logging.apache.org/log4net/manual/configuration/layouts.html#layout-list and XmlLayoutSchemaLog4J https://logging.apache.org/log4net/manual/configuration/layouts.html#layout-list , in versions before 3.3.0, fail to sanitize characters forbidden by the XML 1.0 specification https://www.w3.org/TR/xml/#charsets in MDC property keys and values, as well as the identity field that may carry attacker-influenced data. This causes an exception during serialization and the silent loss of the affected log event. An attacker who can influence any of these fields can exploit this to suppress individual log records, impairing audit trails and detection of malicious activity. Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Log4net 3.3.0, which fixes this issue.
Status
| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
|---|---|---|
| log4net | 26.04 LTS resolute |
Needs evaluation
|
| 24.04 LTS noble |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 22.04 LTS jammy |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 20.04 LTS focal |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 18.04 LTS bionic |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Ignored end of ESM support, was needs-triage |
Severity score breakdown
CVSS version:
Base score
6.3 · Medium
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N
Base score
5.3 · Medium
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
References
Other references
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-40021
- https://github.com/apache/logging-log4net/pull/280
- https://logging.apache.org/security.html#CVE-2026-40021
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/q8otftjswhk69n3kxslqg7cobr0x4st7
- https://logging.apache.org/cyclonedx/vdr.xml
- https://logging.apache.org/log4net/manual/configuration/layouts.html
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/10/11