#VU57346 Use-after-free in Libxml2 - CVE-2016-4658

Vulnerability identifier: #VU57346

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.1 [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:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-4658

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

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

Vendor: Gnome Development Team

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error, caused by using namespace nodes in XPointer ranges within the xpointer.c in libxml2. A remote attackers can pass specially crated XML document to he application, trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code on the system.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Libxml2: 2.9 - 2.9.4

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External links
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Sep/msg00006.html
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Sep/msg00008.html
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Sep/msg00010.html
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Sep/msg00011.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93054
https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036858
https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038623
https://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=c1d1f7121194036608bf555f08d3062a36fd344b
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-37
https://support.apple.com/HT207141
https://support.apple.com/HT207142
https://support.apple.com/HT207143
https://support.apple.com/HT207170

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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.