Stack Exhaustion Vulnerability in Expat (libexpat)
Summary
CVE-2022-25313: In Expat (aka libexpat) before 2.4.5, an attacker can trigger stack exhaustion in build_model via a large nesting depth in the DTD element. Affects expat across 2 version ranges.
< 2.2.10-r2
< 97a4840578693a346e79302909b67d97492e1880
Fixed in 2.2.10-r2. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
Expat (libexpat) is an open-source XML parsing library widely used in various applications and programming languages. It provides a set of functions and APIs for parsing XML documents and extracting data. The library is known for its efficiency and portability, making it a popular choice for developers. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Expat that can lead to stack exhaustion, potentially allowing an attacker to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.4.5.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-25313, arises from a stack exhaustion issue in the 'build_model' function of Expat. By exploiting a large nesting depth in the Document Type Definition (DTD) element, an attacker can trigger the exhaustion of the stack. This can result in the application crashing or becoming unresponsive, leading to a DoS condition. The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the context in which Expat is used, but it has the potential to disrupt the normal operation of affected systems.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.2.10-r2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade expatTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
No specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability. It is advised to apply the recommended fix by updating Expat to the latest version.
Conclusion
The stack exhaustion vulnerability in Expat (libexpat) can be mitigated by updating to the latest version. It is crucial for developers and system administrators to promptly apply the recommended fix to ensure the security and stability of their systems. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for expat →
FAQ
Expat (libexpat) is an open-source XML parsing library used for processing XML documents and extracting data. It is widely used in various applications and programming languages.
The vulnerability can lead to stack exhaustion, potentially causing a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This can result in the application crashing or becoming unresponsive.
Versions of Expat prior to 2.4.5 are affected by this vulnerability.
No specific workaround has been provided. It is recommended to update Expat to the latest version.
To fix this vulnerability, update Expat to version 2.4.5 or later.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for expat.
