CVE-2016-5851

HIGHNVD 8.88.8—

8.8

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

CVSS v3: 8.8
EG Score: 8.8(medium)
EPSS: 75.9%
KEV: Not listed

Published

December 21, 2016

Last Modified

May 6, 2026

Advisory Details (7)

Auto-updated May 9, 2026

No patch confirmed yet.

generic

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91485

generic

oss-security - Re: CVE request - python-docx 0.8.5 - XXE

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/8

generic

oss-security - CVE request - python-docx 0.8.5 - XXE

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/28/7

generic

[SECURITY] Fedora 34 Update: python-docx-0.8.11-3.fc34 - package-announce - Fedora mailing-lists

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XU2WSYRNB7CLBBFCGSX34XHACTA2SWDZ/

generic

[SECURITY] Fedora 33 Update: python-docx-0.8.11-3.fc33 - package-announce - Fedora mailing-lists

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6FFMOH7ZPOPQWNJGUZOS5LXX4MGNRXXT/

generic

oxml: don't resolve XML entities in oxml_parser · python-openxml/python-docx@61b40b1 · GitHub

https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/commit/61b40b161b64173ab8e362aec1fd197948431beb

generic

python-docx/HISTORY.rst at v0.8.6 · python-openxml/python-docx · GitHub

https://github.com/python-openxml/python-docx/blob/v0.8.6/HISTORY.rst

Affected Packages

(1 across 1 ecosystem)

PyPI(1)

Package	Vulnerable range	Fixed in	Dependents
python-docx	0.3.0a1 ... 0.8.5 (25 versions)	0.8.6	—

Data Freshness Timeline

(refreshed 12× in last 7d / 17× in last 30d)

Every time one of our enrichment pipelines (NVD, MITRE cvelistV5, EPSS, CISA KEV, GHSA, OSV, vendor advisories) ran against this CVE. Most recent first.

2026-05-27 13:38 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-27 13:38 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-26 13:42 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-26 13:42 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-26 07:17 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-24 16:44 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-23 00:10 UTCEG score recompute
2026-05-22 21:15 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-22 17:29 UTCEG score recompute
2026-05-20 22:37 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-20 22:37 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-20 22:37 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-20 11:21 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-20 11:21 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-18 21:30 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-18 21:30 UTCepss_batch
2026-05-18 21:30 UTCepss_batch

Frequently asked(5)

What is CVE-2016-5851?

CVE-2016-5851 is a high vulnerability published on December 21, 2016. python-docx before 0.8.6 allows context-dependent attackers to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted document.

When was CVE-2016-5851 disclosed?

CVE-2016-5851 was first published in the National Vulnerability Database on December 21, 2016, with the most recent update on May 6, 2026. EchelonGraph re-ingests CVE updates from NVD on a 2-hour cycle, so this page reflects the latest published state.

Is CVE-2016-5851 actively exploited?

CVE-2016-5851 is not currently on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. FIRST EPSS estimates a 75.9% percentile likelihood of exploitation in the next 30 days — higher percentiles indicate greater predicted risk.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-5851?

CVE-2016-5851 has a CVSS v3 base score of 8.8 (NVD).

How do I remediate CVE-2016-5851?

Patch to the fixed version published by the affected vendor. Where vendor advisories exist for CVE-2016-5851, EchelonGraph cross-links them in the Vendor Advisories panel below — those typically contain the canonical remediation steps, fixed version numbers, and any vendor-specific mitigations.

Dependency Blast Radius

See which npm, PyPI, Go, and Maven packages are affected by CVE-2016-5851

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CVE-2016-5851

📅 Published

🔄 Last Modified

📋 Advisory Details (7)

oss-security - Re: CVE request - python-docx 0.8.5 - XXE

oss-security - CVE request - python-docx 0.8.5 - XXE

[SECURITY] Fedora 34 Update: python-docx-0.8.11-3.fc34 - package-announce - Fedora mailing-lists

[SECURITY] Fedora 33 Update: python-docx-0.8.11-3.fc33 - package-announce - Fedora mailing-lists

oxml: don't resolve XML entities in oxml_parser · python-openxml/python-docx@61b40b1 · GitHub

python-docx/HISTORY.rst at v0.8.6 · python-openxml/python-docx · GitHub

Affected Packages

Data Freshness Timeline

❓ Frequently asked(5)

Dependency Blast Radius

Is Your Infrastructure Affected by CVE-2016-5851?

Published

Last Modified

Advisory Details (7)

Frequently asked(5)