Description
The htmlParseComment function in HTMLparser.c in libxml2 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds heap memory access and application crash), or possibly have unspecified other impact via an unclosed HTML comment.
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 | libxml2 | 2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libxml2 | 2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | libxml2 | 2.9.2+really2.9.1+dfsg1-0.1 | — |
| Debian 8 | libxml2 | 2.9.1+dfsg1-5+deb8u1 | DSA-3430-1 |
| Debian 7 | libxml2 | 2.8.0+dfsg1-7+wheezy5 | DSA-3430-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 6.0 | libxml2 | 2.7.8.dfsg-2+squeeze12 | DLA-266-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | libxml2 | 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.7 | USN-2875-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | libxml2 +3 | 2.9.1-6.el7_2.2 | RHSA-2015:2550 |
| RHEL 6 | libxml2 +3 | 2.7.6-20.el6_7.1 | RHSA-2015:2549 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0178-1 |
| SLES 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0178-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.37.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.37.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0178-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0178-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.37.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP3 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.37.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2 | libxml2 +3 | 2.9.1-6.amzn2.3.2 | ALAS2-2019-1220 |
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.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
GitHub 1 repository
-
Karm/CVE-2015-8710 ★ 1 · Mar 17, 2016
Windows/Linux reproducer
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 10
- RHSA-2015:2549 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxml2 security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2015:2550 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxml2 security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- USN-2875-1 libxml2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-266-1 libxml2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3430-1 libxml2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:0187-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:0178-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-3388 libxml2: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jun 30, 2025
- WID-SEC-2023-1614 Tenable Security Nessus Network Monitor: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 25, 2023
- ALAS2-2019-1220 Moderate: libxml2 security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · May 30, 2019
References
- https://hackerone.com/reports/57125#activity-384861
- https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=746048
- DSA-3430 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20150913 Re: libxml2 issue: out-of-bounds memory access when parsing an unclosed HTML comment mailing-list
- RHSA-2016:1089 vendor-advisory
- https://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=e724879d964d774df9b7969fc846605aa1bac54c
- [oss-security] 20150419 libxml2 issue: out-of-bounds memory access when parsing an unclosed HTML comment mailing-list
- 79811 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20151231 Re: libxml2 issue: out-of-bounds memory access when parsing an unclosed HTML comment mailing-list