CVE-2026-40021
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.
Predictions
Heuristic predictions, AS-IS, for prioritization only.
Mitigations
No mitigations published for this CVE yet.
The vendor-content worker queues fetches as references arrive (check back in a few minutes). Or โ if you've already worked around this in production โ publish your fix to the community-verified tier.
โ Propose a mitigation on Community โ Mitigations published via the community go through AI scoring + 2 human reviewers + 7-day silent objection window before landing here withsource_tier=community-verified.
OS impact
Debian Affected 3 releases
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| trixie | Affected | โ |
| sid | Affected | โ |
| bullseye | Affected | โ |
SUSE Affected 1 release
| Version | Status | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| โ | Affected | โ |
Package impact
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NuGet | log4net | <3.3.0 | 3.3.0 |
References
- https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-40021.html
- https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-40021
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40021
- https://github.com/apache/logging-log4net/pull/280
- https://github.com/apache/logging-log4net
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/q8otftjswhk69n3kxslqg7cobr0x4st7
- https://logging.apache.org/cyclonedx/vdr.xml
- https://logging.apache.org/log4net/manual/configuration/layouts.html
- https://logging.apache.org/security.html#CVE-2026-40021
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/10/11
Community-verified mitigations for this CVE will appear above when contributors publish them.
Verify integrity in audit chain (admin only). AS-IS.