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xxe

Detect and exploit XXE injection vulnerabilities in XML processing applications.

6|1|Updated Mar 9, 2026
Search Tags:#web security#vulnerability testing#ssrf#xxe#xml injection#file disclosure
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/securityfortech/hacking-skills --skill xxe-securityfortech
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: xxe
Source: https://github.com/securityfortech/hacking-skills/tree/main/skills/web/injection/xxe
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/securityfortech/hacking-skills --skill xxe-securityfortech

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps identify and exploit XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerabilities, which can lead to local file disclosure, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks by manipulating how applications process XML input.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • XXE Detection: Identifies vulnerable XML parsers by injecting DTD external entity declarations.
  • Exploitation: Leverages XXE to read local files (e.g., /etc/passwd), perform SSRF attacks against internal or cloud metadata endpoints, and conduct out-of-band data exfiltration.
  • Use Case: When testing a web application that accepts XML payloads, use this Skill to inject malicious DTDs to uncover sensitive server-side files or access internal network resources.

Quick Start

Use the xxe skill to test for XXE vulnerabilities by injecting a file disclosure payload into the provided XML input.

Frequently Asked Questions about xxe

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I test for XML External Entity injection to expose local files?▼

To test for XML External Entity injection, inject DTD external entity declarations using `file:///` entities into XML input. This exploits vulnerable XML parsers to disclose local server-side files like `/etc/passwd`.

Can I perform SSRF attacks via XML input against internal endpoints?▼

You can perform SSRF attacks via XML input by injecting `http://` entities into malicious DTDs. This forces the server's XML parser to make unauthorized requests to internal network resources or cloud metadata endpoints.

What is blind XXE out-of-band data exfiltration and when is it needed?▼

Blind XXE out-of-band exfiltration is a technique used when an application processes XML but does not return errors or file contents directly. It extracts data by routing stolen files through external DNS or HTTP requests.

Do I need Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to detect XXE vulnerabilities?▼

You need Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to detect XXE vulnerabilities effectively. These tools intercept and manipulate XML payloads sent to the application, allowing you to test parser behavior and confirm injection success.

How does injecting DTD external declarations cause a Denial of Service?▼

Injecting DTD external declarations causes a Denial of Service by manipulating how applications process XML input. Malicious payloads can trigger resource exhaustion or infinite loops within vulnerable XML parsers, crashing the target application.

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