CVE-2023-29469

libxml2: Hashing of empty dict strings isn't deterministic

Published Apr 24, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 6.5 Medium EPSS 1.3% KEV · Not listed
Description
An issue was discovered in libxml2 before 2.10.4. When hashing empty dict strings in a crafted XML document, xmlDictComputeFastKey in dict.c can produce non-deterministic values, leading to various logic and memory errors, such as a double free. This behavior occurs because there is an attempt to use the first byte of an empty string, and any value is possible (not solely the '\0' value).

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3405-1 libxml2 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-5391-1 libxml2 security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-33038 An issue was discovered in libxml2 before 2.10.4. When hashing empty dict strings in a crafted XML document, xmlDictComputeFastKey in dict.c can produce non-deterministic values, leading to various logic and memory errors, such as a double free. This behavior occurs because there is an attempt to use the first byte of an empty string, and any value is possible (not solely the '\0' value).
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6028-1 libxml2 vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6028-2 libxml2 vulnerabilities
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Oct 14, 2026, 11:03 PM
Reserved
Apr 6, 2023, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Apr 24, 2023, 9:15 PM
Modified
Oct 14, 2026, 11:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Apr 11, 2023, 12:00 AM