Denial of Service Vulnerability in libxerces2-java: Malformed XML Input
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2009-2625: XMLScanner.java in Apache Xerces2 Java, as used in Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in JDK and JRE 6 before Update 15 and JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 20, and in other products, allows remote attackers to cause a deni... Affects libxerces2-java versions < 2.9.1-4.1. Fixed in 2.9.1-4.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
libxerces2-java is a widely used XML parsing library in Java applications, providing robust support for XML document processing. It is integral to many Java-based systems, including those utilizing the Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE). This package is designed to handle XML data efficiently, but it has been found to be vulnerable to specific malformed XML inputs that can lead to application instability.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2625 affects the XMLScanner.java component of Apache Xerces2 Java. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the library by sending specially crafted XML data, which can trigger an infinite loop within the application. As a result, the application may hang, leading to a denial of service. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be exploited without authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.9.1-4.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libxerces2-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing input validation to sanitize XML data before processing it with libxerces2-java. This can help mitigate the risk of triggering the vulnerability.
Conclusion
The CVE-2009-2625 vulnerability in libxerces2-java poses a significant risk of denial of service through malformed XML input. It is crucial for users of this library to update to the patched version to ensure the security and stability of their applications. Additionally, implementing input validation can serve as a temporary workaround until the update can be applied.
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FAQ
CVE-2009-2625 is a vulnerability in the libxerces2-java package that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through malformed XML input.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to application hangs and denial of service, impacting the availability of services relying on libxerces2-java.
Yes, the patched version of libxerces2-java is 2.9.1-4.1. Updating to this version will resolve the vulnerability.
If you cannot update immediately, implement input validation to sanitize XML data before processing to reduce the risk of exploitation.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libxerces2-java.
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