XML message validation check

Last published : Sep 24, 2026
The XML Message Validation check examines requests that contain XML messages to ensure that they are valid. If a request contains an invalid XML message, the Web App Firewall blocks the request. The purpose of the XML Validation check is to prevent an attacker from using specially constructed invalid XML messages to breach the security of your application.
If you use the wizard or the GUI, in the Modify XML Message Validation Check dialog box, on the General tab you can enable or disable the Block, Log, and Statistics actions.
If you use the command-line interface, you can enter the following command to configure the XML Message Validation Check:
  • set appfw profile <name> -xmlValidationAction [**block**] [**log**] [**stats**] [**none**]
You must use the GUI to configure the other XML Validation check settings. In the Modify XML Message Validation Check dialog box, on the Checks tab, you can configure the following settings:
  • XML Message Validation. Use one of the following options to validate the XML message:
    • SOAP Envelope. Validate only the SOAP envelope of XML messages.
    • WSDL. Validate XML messages by using an XML SOAP WSDL. If you choose WSDL validation, in the WSDL Object drop-down list you must choose a WSDL. If you want to validate against a WSDL that has not already been imported to the Web App Firewall, you can click the Import button to open the Manage WSDL Imports dialog box and import your WSDL. See WSDL for more information.
      • If you want to validate the entire URL, leave the Absolute radio button in the End Point Check button array selected. If you want to validate only the portion of the URL after the host, select the Relative radio button.
      • If you want the Web App Firewall to enforce the WSDL strictly, and not allow any additional XML headers not defined in the WSDL, you must clear the Allow additional headers not defined in the WSDL check box. Caution: If you uncheck the Allow Additional Headers not defined in the WSDL check box, and your WSDL does not define all XML headers that your protected XML application or Web 2.0 application expects or that a client sends, you may block legitimate access to your protected service.
    • XML Schema. Validate XML messages by using an XML schema. If you choose XML schema validation, in the XML Schema Object drop-down list you must choose an XML schema. If you want to validate against an XML schema that has not already been imported to the Web App Firewall, you can click the Import button to open the Manage XML Schema Imports dialog box and import your WSDL. See WSDL for more information.
  • Response Validation. By default, the Web App Firewall does not attempt to validate responses. If you want to validate responses from your protected application or Web 2.0 site, select the Validate Response check box. When you do, the Reuse the XML Schema specified in request validation check box and the XML Schema Object drop-down list are activated.
    • Check the Reuse XML Schema check box to use the schema you specified for request validation to do response validation as well. Note: If you check this check box, the XML Schema Object drop-down list is grayed out.
    • If you want to use a different XML schema for response validation, use the XML Schema Object drop-down list to select or upload that XML schema.
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