CVE-2004-0989: Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-0989 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting libxml, libxml2, command line xml toolkit. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long FTP URL that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanURL function, (2) a long proxy URL containing FTP data that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanProxy function, and other overflows related to manipulation of DNS length values, including (3) xmlNanoFTPConnect, (4) xmlNan

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	21.7% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-03-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: redhat · trustix · ubuntu · xmlsoft · xmlstarlet

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-03-01 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xmlsoft libxml DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.8.17

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.8.17

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy libxml || rpm -q libxml || libxml --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.8.17 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libxml sudo apt install libxml=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.17> sudo apt-mark hold libxml

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list libxml sudo dnf downgrade libxml-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.17> sudo dnf versionlock add libxml

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

xmlsoft libxml2 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.5.11 · 2.6.6 · 2.6.7 · 2.6.8 · 2.6.9 · 2.6.11 · 2.6.12 · 2.6.13

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5.11

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy libxml2 || rpm -q libxml2 || libxml2 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5.11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libxml2 sudo apt install libxml2=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.11> sudo apt-mark hold libxml2

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list libxml2 sudo dnf downgrade libxml2-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.11> sudo dnf versionlock add libxml2

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

xmlstarlet command line xml toolkit DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy command-line-xml-toolkit || rpm -q command-line-xml-toolkit || command-line-xml-toolkit --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison command-line-xml-toolkit sudo apt install command-line-xml-toolkit=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.1> sudo apt-mark hold command-line-xml-toolkit

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list command-line-xml-toolkit sudo dnf downgrade command-line-xml-toolkit-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.1> sudo dnf versionlock add command-line-xml-toolkit

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat fedora core MITIGATE

Affected: core_2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before core_2.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

trustix secure linux MITIGATE

Affected: 2.0 · 2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

ubuntu ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 4.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Libxml2 - Multiple Remote Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2004-0989?

libxml: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; libxml2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; command line xml toolkit: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0989 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0989 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2004-0989 affect?

CVE-2004-0989 affects libxml, libxml2, command line xml toolkit. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long FTP URL that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanURL function, (2) a

How urgent is CVE-2004-0989?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · libxml2 vulnerabilities

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References

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