Memory Leak Vulnerability in libxml2: CVE-2019-20388
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2019-20388: xmlSchemaPreRun in xmlschemas.c in libxml2 2.9.10 allows an xmlSchemaValidateStream memory leak. Affects libxml2 versions < 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.13+esm2. Fixed in 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.13+esm2. 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 performance and compliance with standards. However, vulnerabilities in libxml2 can lead to significant security risks, including memory leaks that may affect application stability and performance.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20388 is a memory leak in the xmlSchemaPreRun function within xmlschemas.c of libxml2 version 2.9.10. This flaw allows an attacker to exploit the library when validating XML schemas, potentially leading to excessive memory consumption. If left unaddressed, this could result in denial of service or degradation of application performance, particularly in environments that rely heavily on XML processing.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.13+esm2
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
As a temporary measure, if updating is not feasible, consider limiting the use of XML schema validation in your application until the patch can be applied. This can help mitigate the risk of memory leaks while maintaining application functionality.
Conclusion
The CVE-2019-20388 vulnerability in libxml2 poses a significant risk due to its potential for causing memory leaks during XML schema validation. It is crucial to update to the patched versions of the library to mitigate these risks. Users should also consider temporary workarounds if immediate updates are not possible.
See every vulnerability recorded for libxml2 →
FAQ
CVE-2019-20388 is a vulnerability in libxml2 that causes a memory leak during XML schema validation.
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to increased memory usage, potentially causing application crashes or slowdowns.
Yes, patches are available for various versions of libxml2. Updating to the latest version is recommended.
Consider disabling XML schema validation as a temporary workaround until you can apply the patch.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software using a manifest file like package-lock.json. Check your application for vulnerabilities without any signup at Vulert Playground.
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