Libexpat up to 2.1.0 XML_SetEntityDeclHandler this access control

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in Libexpat expat up to 2.1.0. Impacted is the function XML_SetEntityDeclHandler. Executing a manipulation of the argument this can lead to access control. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2013-0340. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Libexpat expat up to 2.1.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function XML_SetEntityDeclHandler. The manipulation of the argument this with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-264. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

expat before version 2.4.0 does not properly handle entities expansion unless an application developer uses the XML_SetEntityDeclHandler function, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption), send HTTP requests to intranet servers, or read arbitrary files via a crafted XML document, aka an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. NOTE: it could be argued that because expat already provides the ability to disable external entity expansion, the responsibility for resolving this issue lies with application developers; according to this argument, this entry should be REJECTed, and each affected application would need its own CVE.

The weakness was presented 01/21/2014 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at openwall.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2013-0340 since 12/06/2012. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 96415 (GLSA-201701-21 : Expat: Multiple vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Gentoo Local Security Checks and running in the context l.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 4 years after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (96415), SecurityFocus (BID 58233†), OSVDB (90634†) and SecurityTracker (ID 1028213†). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.4

VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 9.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Access control
CWE: CWE-264
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 96415
Nessus Name: GLSA-201701-21 : Expat: Multiple vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/06/2012 🔍
02/21/2013 +77 days 🔍
02/27/2013 +6 days 🔍
01/21/2014 +328 days 🔍
01/21/2014 +0 days 🔍
03/24/2015 +427 days 🔍
01/11/2017 +659 days 🔍
01/12/2017 +1 days 🔍
11/25/2025 +3239 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: openwall.com
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2013-0340 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2013-0340
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-66148
SecurityFocus: 58233 - Expat Entity Expansion Multiple Denial of Service Vulnerabilities
OSVDB: 90634
SecurityTracker: 1028213

Entryinfo

Created: 03/24/2015 15:54
Updated: 11/25/2025 18:54
Changes: 03/24/2015 15:54 (53), 03/06/2019 14:55 (14), 01/31/2022 14:40 (3), 11/25/2025 18:54 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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