Description
The xmlStringGetNodeList function in tree.c in libxml2 2.9.3 and earlier, when used in recovery mode, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion, stack consumption, and application crash) 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 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | libxml2 +3 | 2.9.1-6.el7_2.3 | RHSA-2016:1292 |
| RHEL 6 | libxml2 +3 | 2.7.6-21.el6_8.1 | RHSA-2016:1292 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1204-1 |
| SLES 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1204-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.40.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1205-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.40.3 | SUSE-SU-2016:1205-1 |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1204-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | libxml2 +1 | 2.9.1-20.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1204-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2 | 2.7.6-0.40.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1205-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | libxml2-python | 2.7.6-0.40.3 | SUSE-SU-2016:1205-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libxml2 | 2.9.4-1.22 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10192-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python-libxml2 | 2.9.4-1.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10228-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | libxml2 +3 | 2.9.1-6.0.1.el7_2.3 | ELSA-2016-1292 |
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
-
Oneton429/CVE-2016-3627 ★ 1 · Oct 19, 2025
PoC of CVE-2016-3627
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 11
- RHSA-2016:1292 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxml2 security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Sep 21, 2026
- 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
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10228-1 python-libxml2-2.9.4-1.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10192-1 libxml2-2-2.9.4-1.22 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1205-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1204-1 Security update for libxml2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-3386 libxml2: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 25, 2025
- WID-SEC-2023-1614 Tenable Security Nessus Network Monitor: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 25, 2023
- ELSA-2016-1292 Important: libxml2 security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jun 23, 2016
References
- 20160503 CVE-2016-3627 CVE-2016-3705: libxml2: stack overflow in xml validator (parser) mailing-list
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.html
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05157239
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10170
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1446 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1298 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2016:1292 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160321 CVE request: Stack exhaustion in libxml2 parsing xml files in recover mode mailing-list
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.html
- DSA-3593 vendor-advisory
- 1035335 vdb-entry
- USN-2994-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html
- 84992 vdb-entry
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-18
- RHSA-2016:2957 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201701-37 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160321 Re: CVE request: Stack exhaustion in libxml2 parsing xml files in recover mode mailing-list