Critical Denial of Service Vulnerability in Expat Package
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2016-4472: The overflow protection in Expat is removed by compilers with certain optimization settings, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted XML data. Affects expat versions < 2.1.1-r2. Fixed in 2.1.1-r2. How to fix ↓
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Background
Expat is an XML parsing library widely used in various software applications for its efficiency and flexibility in handling XML data. It provides a fast and easy way to parse XML documents, making it a popular choice among developers. However, due to certain compiler optimization settings, Expat has been found to be vulnerable to a critical security issue that can lead to severe consequences.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the removal of overflow protection in Expat when compiled with specific optimization settings. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the library by sending crafted XML data, potentially leading to a denial of service (crash) or even arbitrary code execution. This issue is particularly concerning as it stems from an incomplete fix for previously identified vulnerabilities, CVE-2015-1283 and CVE-2015-2716, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and validation in software security.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.1.1-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
As a temporary workaround, consider disabling specific compiler optimizations that may lead to the vulnerability. However, this is not a permanent solution, and updating to the patched version is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
In summary, the Expat package is vulnerable to a critical denial of service issue due to improper handling of overflow protection under certain compiler settings. It is crucial to update to the patched version 2.1.1-r2 to mitigate this risk. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 8.1, indicating a high severity level.
Yes, attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely by sending specially crafted XML data to the affected application.
The potential consequences include denial of service (application crash) and the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which can compromise the entire system.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
References
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