CVE-2009-2414: Stack consumption vulnerability in libxml2 2.5.10, 2.6.16, 2.6.26, 2.6.27, and 2.6.32, and libxml 1.8.17, allo

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-2414 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting libxml, libxml2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Stack consumption vulnerability in libxml2 2.5.10, 2.6.16, 2.6.26, 2.6.27, and 2.6.32, and libxml 1.8.17, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large depth of element declarations in a DTD, related to a function recursion, as demonstrated by the Codenomicon XML fuzzing framework.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.1% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2009-08-11
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: xmlsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-08-11 18:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:09 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: 2.5.10 · 2.6.16 · 2.6.26 · 2.6.27 · 2.6.32

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5.10

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libxml2 sudo apt install libxml2=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.10> sudo apt-mark hold libxml2

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

dnf --showduplicates list libxml2 sudo dnf downgrade libxml2-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.10> 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.

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-2009-2414?

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

Is CVE-2009-2414 being exploited?

CVE-2009-2414 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-2009-2414 affect?

CVE-2009-2414 affects libxml, libxml2. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). Stack consumption vulnerability in libxml2 2.5.10, 2.6.16, 2.6.26, 2.6.27, and 2.6.32, and libxml 1.8.17, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large depth of element declarations in a DTD

How urgent is CVE-2009-2414?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

libxml2 vulnerabilities

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References

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