Description
The htmlParseNameComplex function in HTMLparser.c in libxml2 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted XML document.
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 | 2.9.3+dfsg1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libxml2 | 2.9.3+dfsg1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | libxml2 | 2.9.3+dfsg1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 8 | libxml2 | 2.9.1+dfsg1-5+deb8u2 | DSA-3593-1 |
| Debian 7 | libxml2 | 2.8.0+dfsg1-7+wheezy6 | DLA-503-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | libxml2 | 2.9.3+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1 | USN-2994-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | libxml2 | 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.8 | USN-2994-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1538-1 |
| SLES 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES 11 SP2 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES 11 SP2 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1538-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1538-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 5 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 5 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 2.1 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 2.1 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE Manager 2.1 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.44.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
| SUSE Manager 2.1 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.44.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 |
Advisories 7
- USN-2994-1 libxml2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-3593-1 libxml2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-503-1 libxml2 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1538-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1604-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-3387 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
References
- 1035011 vdb-entry
- DSA-3593 vendor-advisory
- USN-2994-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html
- [oss-security] 20160126 Re: Out-of-bounds Read in the libxml2's htmlParseNameComplex() function mailing-list
- GLSA-201701-37 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160125 Out-of-bounds Read in the libxml2's htmlParseNameComplex() function mailing-list
- 85267 vdb-entry