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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Bounds checking, buffer size validation
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 5.0 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.29%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could corrupt memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application by sending crafted requests to the affected application.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
No patch listed yet 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The xmlParseXMLDecl function in parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.3 allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via an (1) unterminated encoding value or (2) incomplete XML. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Use memory-safe languages or bounds-checking. Enable ASLR, DEP/NX, stack canaries. Use safe string functions.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Buffer Overflow (CWE-119), which allows attackers to corrupt memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application. The xmlParseXMLDecl function in parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.3 allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via an (1) unterminated encoding value or (2) incomplete XML declaration in XML data, which triggers an out-of-bounds heap read. Affected products include: Debian Debian Linux, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Xmlsoft Libxml2, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Hpc Node. Version information: before 2.9.3.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 5.0 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Confidentiality
P
Integrity
None
Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

The xmlParseXMLDecl function in parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.3 allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via an (1) unterminated encoding value or (2) incomplete XML declaration in XML data, which triggers an out-of-bounds heap read.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 47% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.3%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

45
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +25
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:15.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:15.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_hpc_node:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:hp:icewall_federation_agent:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:hp:icewall_file_manager:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
CVE-2025-6021 HIGH POC
7.5 Jun 12

Stack-based buffer overflow in libxml2's xmlBuildQName function allows remote unauthenticated attackers to crash affecte

CVE-2016-4658 CRITICAL
9.8 Sep 25

xpointer.c in libxml2 before 2.9.5 (as used in Apple iOS before 10, OS X before 10.12, tvOS before 10, and watchOS befor

CVE-2016-1762 HIGH POC
8.1 Mar 24

The xmlNextChar function in libxml2 before 2.9.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer

CVE-2016-1834 HIGH POC
7.8 May 20

Heap-based buffer overflow in the xmlStrncat function in libxml2 before 2.9.4, as used in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X b

CVE-2016-1840 HIGH POC
7.8 May 20

Heap-based buffer overflow in the xmlFAParsePosCharGroup function in libxml2 before 2.9.4, as used in Apple iOS before 9

CVE-2022-40303 HIGH
7.5 Nov 23

An issue was discovered in libxml2 before 2.10.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploit

CVE-2017-9047 HIGH POC
7.5 May 18

A buffer overflow was discovered in libxml2 20904-GITv2.9.4-16-g0741801. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerabil

CVE-2016-4447 HIGH POC
7.5 Jun 09

The xmlParseElementDecl function in parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.4 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denia

CVE-2017-16932 HIGH
7.5 Nov 23

parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.5 does not prevent infinite recursion in parameter entities. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.

CVE-2016-4483 HIGH POC
7.5 Apr 11

The xmlBufAttrSerializeTxtContent function in xmlsave.c in libxml2 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial

CVE-2013-1969 HIGH POC
7.5 Apr 25

Multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities in libxml2 2.9.0 and possibly other versions might allow context-dependent attac

CVE-2016-1839 MEDIUM POC
5.5 May 20

The xmlDictAddString function in libxml2 before 2.9.4, as used in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, tvOS befo

References

Advisories & patches
REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00000.html REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00001.html REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00002.html REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00003.html REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Jul/msg00005.html REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2015-12/msg00120.html REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-01/msg00031.html REF http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=145382616617563&w=2 REF http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-2549.html REF http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1089.html REF http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3430 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/11/21/1 REF http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/11/22/3 REF http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjan2016-2867206.html REF http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/77681 REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91826 REF http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034243 REF http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2834-1 REF https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/28-Libxml2-Several-out-of-bounds-reads.html REF https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=751603 REF https://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=709a952110e98621c9b78c4f26462a9d8333102e REF https://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=9aa37588ee78a06ca1379a9d9356eab16686099c REF https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c04944172 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206899 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206901 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206902 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206903 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206904 REF https://support.apple.com/HT206905

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