CVE-2024-49761: REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2024-49761 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rexml, ontap tools. 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 3.3.9 has a ReDoS vulnerability when it parses an XML that has many digits between &# and x...; in a hex numeric character reference (&#x...;). This does not happen with Ruby 3.2 or later. Ruby 3.1 is the only affected maintained Ruby. The REXML gem 3.3.9 or later include the patch to fix the vulnerability.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1333
Published	2024-10-28
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

2024-10-28 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ruby-lang rexml UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.3.9

Fixed in: 3.3.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.3.9 (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 ontap tools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ontap-tools || rpm -q ontap-tools || ontap-tools --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ontap-tools sudo apt install ontap-tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_10> sudo apt-mark hold ontap-tools

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

dnf --showduplicates list ontap-tools sudo dnf downgrade ontap-tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_10> sudo dnf versionlock add ontap-tools

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-2024-49761?

rexml: upgrade to 3.3.9; ontap tools: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-49761 being exploited?

CVE-2024-49761 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-2024-49761 affect?

CVE-2024-49761 affects rexml, ontap tools. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). REXML is an XML toolkit for Ruby. The REXML gem before 3.3.9 has a ReDoS vulnerability when it parses an XML that has many digits between &# and x...; in a hex numeric character reference (&#x...;). This does not happen with Ruby 3.2 or lat

How urgent is CVE-2024-49761?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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-2024-39908 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE MITIGATE 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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