Critical Security Update for perl-XML-Parser: Addressing Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities
Summary
ALSA-2026:7679: Important: perl-XML-Parser security update. Affects perl-XML-Parser versions < 2.46-9.1.el9_7. Fixed in 2.46-9.1.el9_7. How to fix ↓
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Background
perl-XML-Parser is a Perl module that provides a way to parse XML documents efficiently. It is built on the XML::Parser::Expat, which serves as a lower-level interface to James Clark's expat library. The module allows developers to create XML parsers with customizable options, making it a popular choice for handling XML data in Perl applications. However, vulnerabilities in this module can lead to severe security risks, including memory corruption and denial of service.
Vulnerability Detail
The perl-XML-Parser module has been found to contain critical vulnerabilities that can lead to memory corruption when processing deeply nested XML files (CVE-2006-10003) and heap corruption from crafted XML input, potentially resulting in denial of service (CVE-2006-10002). These vulnerabilities arise from improper handling of XML data, allowing attackers to exploit the parsing methods and compromise the application's stability and security.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.46-9.1.el9_7
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo dnf update perl-XML-ParserTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit the depth of XML files being processed or implement additional validation checks on the XML input before parsing. However, this is not a complete solution and updating the package is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The perl-XML-Parser module has critical vulnerabilities that can lead to severe security issues. It is crucial for users to update to the latest patched version to protect their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for perl-XML-Parser →
FAQ
perl-XML-Parser is a Perl module used for parsing XML documents, built on the XML::Parser::Expat interface.
The vulnerabilities can lead to memory corruption and denial of service, potentially crashing applications that rely on this module.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using a manifest file like package-lock.json. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without signup.
Yes, a patch is available. Users should update to perl-XML-Parser version 2.46-9.1.el9_7 or later to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing input validation or limiting the depth of XML files processed as a temporary workaround.
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Recent vulnerabilities recorded for perl-XML-Parser.
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