CVE-2021-3537 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover CVE-2021-3537 impacting libxml2 version before 2.9.11. Understand the risk, affected systems, and mitigation steps to protect your environment from crashes and system availability issues.
A vulnerability found in libxml2 version before 2.9.11 could allow an attacker to crash the application by exploiting a NULL dereference issue. This CVE poses a threat to system availability.
Understanding CVE-2021-3537
This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-3537 vulnerability affecting libxml2.
What is CVE-2021-3537?
CVE-2021-3537 is a vulnerability in libxml2 versions prior to 2.9.11. It arises from the failure to propagate errors while parsing XML mixed content, leading to a NULL dereference that could be exploited to crash the application.
The Impact of CVE-2021-3537
The highest risk associated with CVE-2021-3537 is the potential disruption of system availability when an untrusted XML document is parsed in recovery mode and post-validated.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-3537
This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-3537, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in libxml2 version before 2.9.11 lies in its error handling mechanism while parsing XML mixed content, resulting in a NULL dereference flaw that enables application crashes.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts systems using libxml2 versions older than 2.9.11. Systems with this version are at risk of exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting CVE-2021-3537 involves providing an untrusted XML document, parsing it in recovery mode, and post-validating it to trigger the NULL dereference flaw.
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, recommendations are provided to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-3537 and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update the libxml2 version to 2.9.11 or above and follow the necessary security practices outlined by the vendor.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing rigorous XML parsing routines, validating inputs, and maintaining up-to-date software versions are essential for long-term security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly to safeguard systems against known vulnerabilities.