#VU111224 Stack-based buffer overflow in Libxml2 - CVE-2025-6170

Vulnerability identifier: #VU111224

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-2025-6170

CWE-ID: CWE-121

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 execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in xmllint Shell - shell.c. A remote attacker can pass specially crafted input to the application, trigger a stack-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
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Libxml2: 2.14.0 - 2.14.4

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External links
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2372952
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libxml2/-/issues/941
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libxml2/-/merge_requests/321/diffs?commit_id=069bcda17d8194e9582c64dd4bc9dac99b015810

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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.