#VU32853 Heap-based buffer overflow in Libxml2 - CVE-2011-1944

Vulnerability identifier: #VU32853

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2011-1944

CWE-ID: CWE-122

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Libxml2
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: Gnome Development Team

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in Integer overflow in xpath.c in libxml2 2.6.x through 2.6.32 and 2.7.x through 2.7.8, and libxml 1.8.16 and earlier,. A remote attacker can use a crafted XML file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow when adding a new namespace node to trigger heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Update to version 2.7.0.

Vulnerable software versions

Libxml2: 2.6.0 - 2.6.32

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External links
https://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=d7958b21e7f8c447a26bb2436f08402b2c308be4
https://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c03360041
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/May/msg00001.html
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/Sep/msg00003.html
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/062238.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2011-07/msg00035.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0217.html
https://scarybeastsecurity.blogspot.com/2011/05/libxml-vulnerability-and-interesting.html
https://secunia.com/advisories/44711
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5281
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5503
https://ubuntu.com/usn/usn-1153-1
https://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2255
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:131
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/05/31/8
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2015-1972971.html
https://www.osvdb.org/73248
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2011-1749.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/48056
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=709747

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.