PatchTheCVECVE-2020-24977: GNOME project libxml2 v2.9.10 has a global buffer over-read vulnerability in xmlEncodeEntitiesInternal at libx
60
This week
MEDIUM 6.5REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2020-24977 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting libxml2, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
GNOME project libxml2 v2.9.10 has a global buffer over-read vulnerability in xmlEncodeEntitiesInternal at libxml2/entities.c. The issue has been fixed in commit 50f06b3e.
Why this priority
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 6.5 (Medium) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 3.0% (top 13%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-125 |
| Published | 2020-09-04 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-14 |
Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
xmlsoft libxml2 DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.9.10
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.9.10
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libxml2 || rpm -q libxml2 || libxml2 --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.9.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison libxml2
sudo apt install libxml2=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.9.10>
sudo apt-mark hold libxml2
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list libxml2
sudo dnf downgrade libxml2-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.9.10>
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.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0
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.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 31 · 32 · 33
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 31
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.
opensuse leap MITIGATE
Affected: 15.1 · 15.2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1
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.
netapp active iq unified manager DOWNGRADE
Affected: >= 7.3
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison active-iq-unified-manager
sudo apt install active-iq-unified-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3>
sudo apt-mark hold active-iq-unified-manager
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list active-iq-unified-manager
sudo dnf downgrade active-iq-unified-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3>
sudo dnf versionlock add active-iq-unified-manager
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.
netapp active iq unified manager DOWNGRADE
Affected: >= 9.5
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.5
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison active-iq-unified-manager
sudo apt install active-iq-unified-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.5>
sudo apt-mark hold active-iq-unified-manager
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list active-iq-unified-manager
sudo dnf downgrade active-iq-unified-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.5>
sudo dnf versionlock add active-iq-unified-manager
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.
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-2020-24977?
libxml2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-24977 being exploited?
CVE-2020-24977 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-2020-24977 affect?
CVE-2020-24977 affects libxml2, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). GNOME project libxml2 v2.9.10 has a global buffer over-read vulnerability in xmlEncodeEntitiesInternal at libxml2/entities.c. The issue has been fixed in commit 50f06b3e.
How urgent is CVE-2020-24977?
Priority 60/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Debian vulnerabilities · libxml2 vulnerabilities
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