Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in Apache Xerces-C++ before 3.1.4 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service via a deeply nested DTD.
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 | xerces-c | 3.1.3+debian-2.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | xerces-c | 3.1.3+debian-2.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | xerces-c | 3.1.3+debian-2.1 | — |
| Debian 8 | xerces-c | 3.1.1-5.1+deb8u3 | DSA-3610-1 |
| Debian 7 | xerces-c | 3.1.1-3+deb7u4 | DLA-535-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | xerces-c | 3.1.1-5.1+deb8u3build0.14.04.1 | — |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | xerces-c | 3.2.0+debian-2ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4784-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | xerces-c | 3.1.3+debian-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4784-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | xerces-c +2 | 3.1.1-9.el7 | RHSA-2018:3335 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7.5 EUS | xerces-c +2 | 3.1.1-8.el7_5.1 | RHSA-2018:3506 |
| RHEL 7.4 EUS | xerces-c +2 | 3.1.1-8.el7_4.1 | RHSA-2018:3514 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | xerces-c | 3.1.1-12.3 | SUSE-SU-2016:2154-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | Xerces-c | 2.8.0-29.17.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:3277-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | xerces-c | 3.1.1-12.3 | SUSE-SU-2016:2154-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | xerces-c | 3.1.4-1.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10039-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2 | xerces-c +2 | 3.1.1-9.amzn2 | ALAS2-2018-1124 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | xerces-c +2 | 3.1.1-9.el7 | ELSA-2018-3335 |
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
-
arntsonl/CVE-2016-4463 ★ 0 · Jul 10, 2018
Proof of concept for CVE-2016-4463
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 11
- RHSA-2018:3514 Red Hat Security Advisory: xerces-c security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3506 Red Hat Security Advisory: xerces-c security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3335 Red Hat Security Advisory: xerces-c security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- USN-4784-1 xerces-c vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- DLA-535-1 xerces-c - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3610-1 xerces-c - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10039-1 libxerces-c-3_1-3.1.4-1.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2154-1 Security update for xerces-c SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:3277-1 Security update for Xerces-c SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- ALAS2-2018-1124 Moderate: xerces-c security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Dec 8, 2018
- ELSA-2018-3335 Moderate: xerces-c security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 5, 2018
References
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/XERCESC-2069
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/secure/ReleaseNote.jspa?projectId=10510&version=12336069
- RHSA-2018:3335 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3610 vendor-advisory
- 1036211 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2016:2232 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3506 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3514 vendor-advisory
- 91501 vdb-entry
- http://xerces.apache.org/xerces-c/secadv/CVE-2016-4463.txt
- 20160629 CVE-2016-4463: Apache Xerces-C XML Parser Crashes on Malformed DTD mailing-list
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137714/Apache-Xerces-C-XML-Parser-Crash.html
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1808 vendor-advisory
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.html