Security Digest · Vulnerability record
CVE-2024-34394: libxmljs2 vulnerable to type confusion when parsing specially crafted XML
libxmljs2 is vulnerable to a type confusion vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted XML while invoking the namespaces() function (which invokes XmlNode::getlocalnamespaces()) on a grand-child of a node that refers to an entity.
CVSS 9.2 Critical EPSS 1.0% · p62
Should you act?
Critical and remotely reachable
No known exploitation yet, but it is network-reachable without credentials. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Not in CISA KEV, but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
- EPSS 1.0%, percentile 62: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 62% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes
libxmljs2(npm) <= 0.35.0, no fixed version listed. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.
What it is
libxmljs2 is vulnerable to a type confusion vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted XML while invoking the namespaces() function (which invokes XmlNode::getlocalnamespaces()) on a grand-child of a node that refers to an entity. This vulnerability can lead to denial of service and remote code execution.
From the GitHub advisory
libxmljs2 is vulnerable to a type confusion vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted XML while invoking the namespaces() function (which invokes XmlNode::getlocalnamespaces()) on a grand-child of a node that refers to an entity. This vulnerability can lead to denial of service and remote code execution.
Weakness type: CWE-843.
Product: libxmljs2 (npm) · Assigned by: JFROG · Published: 2024-05-02
Affected and fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable | First fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | libxmljs2 | <= 0.35.0 | none listed |
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| libxmljs2 | <= 0.37.0 |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFROG | 3.1 | 8.1 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| GitHub | 4.0 | 9.2 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Attack requirements: present (depends on deployment conditions)
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc, automatable no, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.99% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 62.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by JFROG
- — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-78h3-pg4x-j8cv published (critical)
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vulnerability records
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-78h3-pg4x-j8cv github.com
- CVE.org record CVE-2024-34394 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2024-34394 nvd.nist.gov
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- research.jfrog.com research.jfrog.com
- github.com github.com