CVE-2024-39908: REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-39908?

rexml: upgrade to 3.3.2; bootstrap os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-39908 being exploited?

CVE-2024-39908 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-2024-39908 affect?

CVE-2024-39908 affects rexml, bootstrap os. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby. The REXML gem before 3.3.1 has some DoS vulnerabilities when it parses an XML that has many specific characters such as ` `. If you need to parse untrusted XMLs, you many be impacted to these

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3UPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2024-39908 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting rexml, bootstrap os. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby. The REXML gem before 3.3.1 has some DoS vulnerabilities when it parses an XML that has many specific characters such as `<`, `0` and `%>`. If you need to parse untrusted XMLs, you many be impacted to these vulnerabilities. The REXML gem 3.3.2 or later include the patches to fix these vulnerabilities. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade should avoid parsing untrusted XML strings.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 26%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400
Published	2024-07-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: netapp · ruby-lang

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-07-16 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ruby-lang rexml UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.3.2

Fixed in: 3.3.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.3.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rexml

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rexml

Note

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

netapp bootstrap os MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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.

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-2024-39908?

rexml: upgrade to 3.3.2; bootstrap os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-39908 being exploited?

CVE-2024-39908 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-2024-39908 affect?

CVE-2024-39908 affects rexml, bootstrap os. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby. The REXML gem before 3.3.1 has some DoS vulnerabilities when it parses an XML that has many specific characters such as `<`, `0` and `%>`. If you need to parse untrusted XMLs, you many be impacted to these

How urgent is CVE-2024-39908?

Priority 34/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities · Bootstrap vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-49761 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby
CVE-2024-43398 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE MITIGATE REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby
CVE-2024-41946 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby
CVE-2024-41123 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby
CVE-2024-35176 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby

References

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