CVE-2017-10672: Use-after-free in the XML-LibXML module through 2.0129 for Perl allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary c

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-10672?

xml-libxml: upgrade to newer than 2.0129; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-10672 being exploited?

CVE-2017-10672 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-10672 affect?

CVE-2017-10672 affects xml-libxml, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Use-after-free in the XML-LibXML module through 2.0129 for Perl allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by controlling the arguments to a replaceChild call.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-10672?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-10672 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting xml-libxml, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Use-after-free in the XML-LibXML module through 2.0129 for Perl allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by controlling the arguments to a replaceChild call.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	7.9% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2017-06-29
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · xml-libxml project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-06-29 08:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xml-libxml project xml-libxml UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.0129

Fixed in: newer than 2.0129

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.0129 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade xml-libxml

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade xml-libxml

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400

Debian 12 · libxml-libxml-perl · FIXED · 2.0128+dfsg-5

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libxml-libxml-perl dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libxml-libxml-perl)" ge "2.0128+dfsg-5" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · libxml-libxml-perl · FIXED · 2.0128+dfsg-5

RHEL 5 · perl-XML-LibXML · DEFERRED

RHEL 6 · perl-XML-LibXML · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · perl-XML-LibXML · DEFERRED

Public exploits and detection

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

Write-up: hackerone.com/reports/259390
Write-up: rt.cpan.org/Public/Bug/Display.html?id=122246

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-2017-10672?

xml-libxml: upgrade to newer than 2.0129; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-10672 being exploited?

CVE-2017-10672 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-2017-10672 affect?

CVE-2017-10672 affects xml-libxml, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Use-after-free in the XML-LibXML module through 2.0129 for Perl allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by controlling the arguments to a replaceChild call.

How urgent is CVE-2017-10672?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Perl vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2015-3451 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE The _clone function in XML::LibXML before 2.0119 does not properly set the expand_entities option, which allow

References

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