In libexpat before 2.8.1, the computational complexity of attribute name collision checks allows a denial of service via moderately sized crafted XML input
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 2.9 Low : upgrade to 2.8.1 when convenient.
Data as of 10 Nov 2026, 16:36 UTC
Contested
Scorers differ by 2 or more points| CNA (mitre) | CVSS 3.1 | 2.9 |
|---|---|---|
| ADP (redhat-SADP) | CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 |
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 2.8.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:LExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 10 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 10 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade libexpat and libexpat/libexpat to 2.8.1.
Patches and advisories
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22715 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22721 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23230 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26319 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27201 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:29197 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:58981 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| libexpat projectlibexpat | Affected
| Fixed in
|
GitHublibexpat/libexpatpkg:github/libexpat/libexpatOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
In libexpat before 2.8.1, the computational complexity of attribute name collision checks allows a denial of service via moderately sized crafted XML input.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45186 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libexpat/libexpat/pull/1216 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22715 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:22721 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:23230 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26319 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27201 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:29197 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:58981 (opens in a new tab)
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-45186 (opens in a new tab)
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2468575 (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-457936.html (opens in a new tab)
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-45186.json (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/11/16 (opens in a new tab)