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Mallory
High

Negative length handling flaw in libexpat XML_ParseBuffer

IdentifiersCVE-2024-45490CWE-20

CVE-2024-45490 is a vulnerability in libexpat before 2.6.3. According to the provided content, xmlparse.c does not reject a negative length passed to XML_ParseBuffer. This indicates improper input validation in the parser’s buffer-length handling, where a caller-controlled negative length is accepted instead of being rejected. Apple also characterizes this as an open-source vulnerability affecting Apple software among other projects.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

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Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can lead to memory-safety failure during XML parsing, resulting in unexpected application termination and potentially arbitrary code execution. The provided Apple advisory context states that a remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution in affected Apple software. Other affected downstream products, such as Dell iDRAC9 builds incorporating vulnerable libexpat versions, may inherit the same underlying risk depending on exposure and integration.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure of XML parsing paths that process untrusted input, especially remotely supplied XML data. Restrict or disable features that accept attacker-controlled XML where feasible, isolate affected services, and apply vendor updates for products bundling libexpat. No more specific workaround is provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade libexpat to version 2.6.3 or later. For downstream products, apply vendor fixes that incorporate the corrected libexpat release. The provided content specifically notes Dell iDRAC9 remediation in versions 7.00.00.181 or later and 7.20.30.50 or later for affected branches.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

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VendorProductType
Libexpat ProjectLibexpatapplication

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Social activity3

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