Description
Buffer overflow in pattern.c in libxslt before 1.1.24 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an XSL style sheet file with a long XSLT "transformation match" condition that triggers a large number of steps.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | libxslt | 1.1.24-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libxslt | 1.1.24-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | libxslt | 1.1.24-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | libxslt | 1.1.19-2 | DSA-1589-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | libxslt +2 | 1.1.17-2.el5_1.1 | RHSA-2008:0287 |
| RHEL 4 | libxslt +2 | 1.1.11-1.el4_6.1 | RHSA-2008:0287 |
| RHEL 3 | libxslt +1 | 1.0.33-6 | RHSA-2008:0287 |
| RHEL 2 | libxslt +2 | 1.0.15-3 | RHSA-2008:0287 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libxslt | 1.1.34-3.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11017-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- libxslt XSL 1.1.23 - File Processing Buffer Overflow EDB-31815 · dos · May 21, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2008:0287 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxslt security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1589-1 libxslt - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11017-1 libxslt-devel-1.1.34-3.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- MDVSA-2008:151 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2008-11-13 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-1580 vdb-entry
- 1020071 vdb-entry
- 31681 vdb-entry
- 29312 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2008:0287 vendor-advisory
- 30393 third-party-advisory
- 30521 third-party-advisory
- 31363 third-party-advisory
- http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=527297
- DSA-1589 vendor-advisory
- libxslt-xsl-bo(42560) vdb-entry
- 30315 third-party-advisory
- 32706 third-party-advisory
- USN-633-1 vendor-advisory
- 32222 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200806-02 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2008-07-11 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3298
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9785 vdb-entry signature
- ADV-2008-2094 vdb-entry
- ADV-2008-2780 vdb-entry
- 30323 third-party-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2008-10-09 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3216
- 31074 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2008:013 vendor-advisory
- 30717 third-party-advisory