CVE-2018-9251: debian debian_linux Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2018-9251 is a medium (CVSS 5.3) Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition vulnerability in debian debian_linux. EPSS estimates a 2.36% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 83.7% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.
Not severe (CVSS 5.3, network access); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 5 · Related 3Timeline
- 04-04-2018PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 05-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The xz_decomp function in xzlib.c in libxml2 2.9.8, if --with-lzma is used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted XML file that triggers LZMA_MEMLIMIT_ERROR, as demonstrated by xmllint, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8035.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- OSV · AlpineEcosystem advisory · calculated5.3MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
2.36%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
84%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 2.36% on 04-10-2026
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
1 foundExploit Reference (bugzilla.gnome.org)
Maturity: unknown
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Alpine1 product
- libxml2< 2.9.8-r1
Debian1 product
- debian_linuxEOL8.0
Xmlsoft1 product
- libxml22.9.8
3 vendors · 3 products
References
3 links
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00035.htmlMailing ListX Refsource MLISTThird Party Advisory