#VU33052 Cryptographic issues in expat - CVE-2012-6702

Vulnerability identifier: #VU33052

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2012-6702

CWE-ID: CWE-310

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

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

Vendor: libexpat.org

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to manipulate data.

Expat, when used in a parser that has not called XML_SetHashSalt or passed it a seed of 0, makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to defeat cryptographic protection mechanisms via vectors involving use of the srand function.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

expat: 2.0.0 - 2.1.1

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External links
https://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3597
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/03/8
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/06/04/1
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91483
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3010-1
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-21
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.html
https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-20

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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.