Critical Integer Overflow Vulnerability in Expat Package: CVE-2024-45491
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2024-45491: An issue was discovered in libexpat before 2.6.3. Affects expat versions < 2.1.0-4ubuntu1.4+esm9. Fixed in 2.1.0-4ubuntu1.4+esm9. How to fix ↓
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Background
Expat is an XML parser library written in C, widely used in various applications for parsing XML documents. It provides a fast and efficient way to handle XML data, making it a popular choice among developers. However, it has been found to be vulnerable to an integer overflow issue that can lead to potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-45491, originates from the dtdCopy function in xmlparse.c of the Expat library. This function can experience an integer overflow when processing the nDefaultAtts parameter on 32-bit platforms, where UINT_MAX equals SIZE_MAX. This flaw can allow attackers to exploit the overflow, potentially leading to memory corruption, application crashes, or arbitrary code execution. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.3, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.1.0-4ubuntu1.4+esm9
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade expatTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the features that utilize the Expat library or switching to an alternative XML parsing library until the update can be applied.
Conclusion
The CVE-2024-45491 vulnerability in the Expat package poses significant security risks due to an integer overflow issue. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Users are encouraged to monitor their applications for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert, which can alert you in real-time about open-source vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for expat →
FAQ
CVE-2024-45491 is a critical integer overflow vulnerability found in the Expat XML parser library, which can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
The risks include application crashes, memory corruption, and potential arbitrary code execution, which can compromise the security of the system.
Yes, a patched version of the Expat package is available. Ensure you update to version 2.2.5-3ubuntu0.9+esm1 or later.
If you cannot update the package right away, consider disabling features that rely on the Expat library or using an alternative XML parser until you can apply the update.
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