CVE-2024-25062 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the widely used XML parsing library libxml2, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.11.7 and 2.12.x prior to 2.12.5. The flaw arises when the XML Reader interface processes XML documents that have both DTD (Document Type Definition) validation and XInclude expansion enabled. Under these conditions, specially crafted XML input can trigger an improper memory management scenario in the xmlValidatePopElement function, leading to a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free), which can cause memory corruption and potentially crash the application or service consuming the XML data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.5, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impact limited to availability (A:H) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to any system parsing untrusted XML data with the vulnerable libxml2 versions. The issue is particularly relevant for applications and services that rely on XML for configuration, data interchange, or document processing, including web servers, middleware, and enterprise software. The absence of authentication or user interaction requirements makes remote exploitation feasible, increasing the risk profile for exposed systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-25062 is on the availability of affected systems due to potential crashes or denial of service triggered by crafted XML documents. European organizations that utilize libxml2 in their software stacks—such as web services, content management systems, and middleware—may experience service interruptions or outages if exploited. Although confidentiality and integrity are not directly compromised, the disruption of critical services can have cascading effects on business operations, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation over the network without authentication increases the threat level, particularly for publicly accessible services processing XML input. Additionally, organizations relying on automated XML processing pipelines or document validation may face operational risks. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks. European entities with stringent uptime requirements and regulatory obligations for service availability must prioritize addressing this vulnerability to avoid compliance and reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2024-25062, European organizations should promptly update libxml2 to version 2.11.7, 2.12.5, or later where the vulnerability is patched. If immediate updates are not feasible, temporarily disabling DTD validation and XInclude expansion in XML Reader configurations can reduce exposure, especially for services processing untrusted XML data. Implement strict input validation and filtering to block or sanitize XML documents containing potentially malicious DTD or XInclude constructs. Employ network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious XML payloads targeting this vulnerability. Monitor application logs for crashes or abnormal terminations related to XML processing. Conduct a thorough inventory of software components and services using libxml2 to identify affected systems. Integrate vulnerability scanning and patch management processes to ensure timely updates. For critical infrastructure, consider isolating XML processing components in sandboxed environments to limit impact. Finally, maintain awareness of any emerging exploit reports or vendor advisories to adapt defenses accordingly.