Vulnerability identifier: #VU33116

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 4.6 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2012-1148

CWE-ID: CWE-401

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 attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The vulnerability exists due to memory leak within the poolGrow function in expat/lib/xmlparse.c in expat before 2.1.0 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a large number of crafted XML files that cause improperly-handled reallocation failures when expanding entities. A remote attacker can perform a denial of service attack.

Mitigation
Update to version 2.1.0.

Vulnerable software versions

expat: 2.0.0 - 2.0.1

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External links
http://expat.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/expat/expat/lib/xmlparse.c?r1=1.166&r2=1.167
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Dec/msg00005.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0731.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0062.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2957.html
http://secunia.com/advisories/49504
http://secunia.com/advisories/51024
http://secunia.com/advisories/51040
http://sourceforge.net/projects/expat/files/expat/2.1.0/
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=110127&aid=2958794&group_id=10127
http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2525
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2012:041
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/52379
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034344
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1527-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1613-1
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1613-2
http://support.apple.com/HT205637

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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.