HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2016-1838

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CVE-2016-1838

CWE-125Published: May 20, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.5

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The xmlPArserPrintFileContextInternal function in libxml2 before 2.9.4, as used in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, tvOS before 9.2.1, and watchOS before 2.2.1, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read) via a crafted XML document.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2016-1838 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2016-1838. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorLocal

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.None

User InteractionRequired

ScopeUnchanged

Impact

ConfidentialityNone

IntegrityNone

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Apple4 product(s)

iphone osmac os xtvoswatchos

Canonical1 product(s)

ubuntu linux

Debian1 product(s)

debian linux

mcafee1 product(s)

web gateway

Red Hat6 product(s)

enterprise linux desktopenterprise linux serverenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server eusenterprise linux server tusenterprise linux workstation

xmlsoft1 product(s)

libxml2

Source: NVD CPE · 29 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=db07dd613e461df93dde7902c6505629bf0734e9

PATCHhttps://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10170

PATCHhttps://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=db07dd613e461df93dde7902c6505629bf0734e9

PATCHhttps://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10170

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00001.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00002.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00003.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00004.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2957.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90691

ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035890

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2994-1

ADVISORYhttp://xmlsoft.org/news.html

ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:1292

ADVISORYhttps://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=639

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=758588

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-37

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206564

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206566

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206567

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206568

ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3593

ADVISORYhttps://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-18

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00001.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00002.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00003.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00004.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2957.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90691

ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035890

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2994-1

ADVISORYhttp://xmlsoft.org/news.html

ADVISORYhttps://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:1292

ADVISORYhttps://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=639

ADVISORYhttps://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=758588

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-37

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206564

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206566

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206567

ADVISORYhttps://support.apple.com/HT206568

ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3593

ADVISORYhttps://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-18

All References (48)

→

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00001.htmlMailing List · Vendor Advisory

→

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00002.htmlMailing List · Vendor Advisory

→

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00003.htmlMailing List · Vendor Advisory

→

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/May/msg00004.htmlMailing List · Vendor Advisory

→

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2957.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjul2016-3090544.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/90691Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035890Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2994-1Third Party Advisory

→

http://xmlsoft.org/news.htmlRelease Notes · Vendor Advisory

→

https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:1292Third Party Advisory

→

https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=639Exploit · Third Party Advisory

→

https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=758588Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2016-1838

CVSS Score5.5 / 10

SeverityMEDIUM

WeaknessCWE-125

CISA KEVNo

ExploitPOC

Affected6 vendor(s)

PublishedMay 20, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-125)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2016-1838 in threat intel feeds
→Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts

Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.

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