CVE-2017-8872: xmlsoft libxml2 Out-of-bounds Read
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2017-8872 is a critical (CVSS 9.1) Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in xmlsoft libxml2. EPSS estimates a 2.31% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 83.3% of scored vulnerabilities.
Severe, CVSS 9.1 (CVE.org); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources; EPSS 2% (FIRST, 04-11-2026)
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 2 · Related 1Timeline
- 10-05-2017PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 17-12-2025Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The htmlParseTryOrFinish function in HTMLparser.c in libxml2 2.9.4 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer over-read) or information disclosure.
CVSS metrics
7 scores · 4 sources · 3 versions- NVDNIST9.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated9.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated9.1CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated9.1CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
2.31%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
83%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 2.31% on 05-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Suse21 products
- libxml2-python&distro=SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4< 2.7.6-0.77.3.5
- libxml2-python&distro=SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 11 SP4< 2.7.6-0.77.3.5
- libxml2&distro=SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP2< 2.9.4-46.3.2
- libxml2&distro=SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3< 2.9.4-46.3.2
- libxml2&distro=SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP4< 2.7.6-0.77.3.2
Debian1 product
- libxml2< 2.9.4+dfsg1-6.1
Ubuntu1 product
- libxml2< 2.9.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu4.13+esm2 | < 2.9.3+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.7+esm1 | < 2.9.4+dfsg1-6.1ubuntu1
Xmlsoft1 product
- libxml22.9.4
4 vendors · 24 products
