CVE-2024-43398: REXML denial of service vulnerability
Affects rexmlSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.9 Medium : upgrade to 3.3.6 when convenient.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 22:52 UTC
Thin evidence
One scorer or none| CNA (GitHub_M) | CVSS 3.1 | 5.9 |
|---|
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 3.3.6
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Aug 2024
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 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade rexml to 3.3.6.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| RubyGemsrexml | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
### Impact The REXML gem before 3.3.6 has a DoS vulnerability when it parses an XML that has many deep elements that have same local name attributes. If you need to parse untrusted XMLs with tree parser API like `REXML::Document.new`, you may be impacted to this vulnerability. If you use other parser APIs such as stream parser API and SAX2 parser API, this vulnerability is not affected. ### Patches The REXML gem 3.3.6 or later include the patch to fix the vulnerability. ### Workarounds Don't parse untrusted XMLs with tree parser API. ### References * https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2024/08/22/dos-rexml-cve-2024-43398/ : An announce on www.ruby-lang.org
References
- github.com/ruby/rexml/security/advisories/GHSA-vmwr-mc7x-5vc3 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-43398 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/ruby/rexml/commit/7cb5eaeb221c322b9912f724183294d8ce96bae3 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/ruby/rexml (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/ruby/rexml/releases/tag/v3.3.6 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/rexml/CVE-2024-43398.yml (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00011.html (opens in a new tab)
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250103-0006 (opens in a new tab)
- ruby-lang.org/en/news/2024/08/22/dos-rexml-cve-2024-43398 (opens in a new tab)