CVE-2026-76956

libexpat: libexpat: Denial of Service via hash flooding attack with crafted XML

Published Aug 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.9 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In libexpat 2.8.2 and 2.8.3 before 2.8.4, misinterpretation of getentropy's return code leads to insufficient entropy, which results in being vulnerable to hash flooding attacks, causing a denial of service via crafted XML content.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6566-1 expat security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title libexpat: libexpat: Denial of Service via hash flooding attack with crafted XML
Weaknesses CWE-331
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Insufficient Entropy in libexpat Enables Hash Flooding Denial of Service
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title Insufficient Entropy in libexpat Enables Hash Flooding Denial of Service
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In libexpat 2.8.2 and 2.8.3 before 2.8.4, misinterpretation of getentropy's return code leads to insufficient entropy, which results in being vulnerable to hash flooding attacks, causing a denial of service via crafted XML content.
First Time appeared Libexpat Project
Libexpat Project libexpat
Weaknesses CWE-394
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:libexpat_project:libexpat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Libexpat Project
Libexpat Project libexpat
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mitre
Published
Updated
Aug 20, 2026, 5:42 PM
Reserved
Aug 20, 2026, 4:22 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 20, 2026, 5:16 AM
Modified
Sep 8, 2026, 9:08 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Aug 20, 2026, 4:22 AM