Critical Out-of-Bounds Memory Access in libxml2: CVE-2015-8710
Summary
CVE-2015-8710: The htmlParseComment function in HTMLparser.c in libxml2 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap memory access and application crash), or possibly have unspecified... Affects libxml2 versions < 2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1. Fixed in 2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
libxml2 is a widely used XML parsing library that provides a range of functionalities for processing XML and HTML documents. It is known for its efficiency and flexibility, making it a popular choice in various applications and systems. However, it is susceptible to vulnerabilities that can lead to severe security risks, such as the one identified in CVE-2015-8710, which can cause denial of service and potential data exposure.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability CVE-2015-8710 is rooted in the htmlParseComment function within HTMLparser.c of libxml2. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious HTML comments that remain unclosed, leading to out-of-bounds heap memory access. This can result in application crashes, denial of service, and the potential leakage of sensitive information. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical risk level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libxml2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate updating is not feasible, consider implementing input validation to sanitize HTML comments before processing them. This can help mitigate the risk of exploitation until the library is updated.
Conclusion
CVE-2015-8710 is a critical vulnerability in the libxml2 library that poses significant risks to applications using it. Immediate action is required to update the library to a secure version to prevent potential exploitation. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for libxml2 →
FAQ
CVE-2015-8710 is a vulnerability in the libxml2 library that allows attackers to exploit unclosed HTML comments, leading to potential denial of service and information leakage.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by CVE-2015-8710 without needing to sign up.
The consequences include application crashes, denial of service, and possible exposure of sensitive information due to out-of-bounds memory access.
The CVSS score of CVE-2015-8710 is 9.8, indicating a critical level of severity.
You can implement input validation to sanitize HTML comments before processing them as a temporary workaround.
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