CVE-2018-9472 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/20/2024
In xmlMemStrdupLoc of xmlmemory.c, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution in an unprivileged process with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9472 represents a critical security flaw within the libxml2 library that affects numerous software applications relying on XML parsing functionality. This issue manifests in the xmlMemStrdupLoc function located within the xmlmemory.c source file, where an integer overflow condition creates a potential pathway for out-of-bounds memory writes. The flaw exists in the memory management subsystem of libxml2, which is widely used across various operating systems and applications for processing XML documents, making the impact of this vulnerability widespread and significant. The integer overflow occurs during memory allocation operations when processing certain malformed XML input, specifically when the library attempts to duplicate strings and calculates memory requirements that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer type used in the calculation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious XML content that triggers the specific code path involving xmlMemStrdupLoc function. When an application processes this specially crafted XML data, the integer overflow causes the memory allocation routine to compute an incorrect buffer size, leading to memory being written beyond the allocated boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk because the malicious XML content can be delivered over network connections, requiring no local privileges or elevated execution rights for exploitation. The need for user interaction indicates that the vulnerability typically requires a user to open or process the malicious XML file, making it particularly dangerous in email attachments, web content, or file sharing scenarios.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for organizations relying on XML processing capabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a software exploitation technique under the T1203 category, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The operational impact of CVE-2018-9472 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or compromise entire systems depending on the application context. Applications affected include web browsers, content management systems, enterprise software, and any system that processes XML data through libxml2 libraries, creating a broad attack surface that spans multiple industries and use cases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9472 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libxml2 versions, with security updates typically available from software vendors and operating system distributors. Organizations should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent malicious XML content from reaching vulnerable applications, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected libxml2 versions. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, enabling sandboxing for XML processing operations, and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or memory corruption indicators that might signal exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious XML content patterns that may be attempting to trigger this vulnerability, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation.