libxml2: Denial of service — GLSA 201203-04

A hash collision vulnerability in libxml2 allows remote attackers to cause a Denial of Service condition.

Affected packages

dev-libs/libxml2 on all architectures
Affected versions < 2.7.8-r5
Unaffected versions >= 2.7.8-r5

Background

libxml2 is the XML C parser and toolkit developed for the Gnome project.

Description

libxml2 does not properly randomize hash functions to protect against hash collision attacks.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user or automated system to open a specially crafted XML document with an application using libxml2 resulting in a Denial of Service condition.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All libxml2 users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-libs/libxml2-2.7.8-r5"
 

References

Release date
March 06, 2012

Latest revision
March 06, 2012: 1

Severity
normal

Exploitable
remote

Bugzilla entries