Moderate Security Vulnerability in libxml2: Denial of Service and Arbitrary Code Execution
Summary
ALSA-2026:61247: Moderate: libxml2 security update. Affects libxml2 versions < 2.9.13-14.el9_8.4. Fixed in 2.9.13-14.el9_8.4. How to fix ↓
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Background
libxml2 is a widely-used development toolbox that provides the implementation of various XML standards. It is essential for applications that require XML parsing and manipulation. The library is known for its performance and flexibility, making it a popular choice among developers. However, recent vulnerabilities have been identified that could compromise the security of applications utilizing this library.
Vulnerability Detail
The libxml2 library has been found to contain two significant vulnerabilities. The first vulnerability (CVE-2026-6653) allows for a Denial of Service (DoS) attack via crafted XML input due to a use-after-free condition. This could lead to application crashes or unresponsiveness. The second vulnerability (CVE-2026-11979) involves arbitrary code execution in the xmlcatalog utility due to a buffer overflow, which could allow an attacker to execute malicious code on the system running the affected application.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.9.13-14.el9_8.4
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo dnf update libxml2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can avoid using the xmlcatalog utility until the package is updated. Additionally, ensure that your application does not process untrusted XML input to mitigate the risk of the Denial of Service vulnerability.
Conclusion
The vulnerabilities in libxml2 pose significant risks to applications that rely on this library for XML processing. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Additionally, using tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities in your software effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for libxml2 →
FAQ
libxml2 is a development library that provides tools for parsing and manipulating XML documents.
The vulnerabilities can lead to Denial of Service attacks and arbitrary code execution, potentially compromising the security of the application.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
If you cannot update the package, avoid using the xmlcatalog utility and refrain from processing untrusted XML input.
For more details, refer to the CVE pages for CVE-2026-11979 and CVE-2026-6653.
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