CVE-2024-43398: REXML denial of service vulnerability

Published Aug 22, 2024
·
Updated

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

Other sources

Admin Framework. A logic issue was addressed with improved checks.

— Apple

Admin Framework. The issue was addressed with improved checks.

— Apple

App Store. A logging issue was addressed with improved data redaction.

— Apple

Apple Account. A privacy issue was addressed with improved checks.

— Apple

Apple Neural Engine. The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

— Apple

Credit

Ryan Dowd@@_rdowd, Csaba Fitzl@@theevilbit(Kandji), Nolan Astrein(Kandji), Mickey Jin@@patch1t, Gergely Kalman@@gergely_kalman, an anonymous researcher, Joseph Ravichandran@@0xjprx(MIT CSAIL), Dave G. (supernetworks.org), JZ, Zhongcheng Li(IES Red Team of ByteDance), Michael Reeves@@IntegralPilot, Duy Trần@@khanhduytran0, Morris Richman@@morrisinlife, Hikerell (Loadshine Lab), 이동하 (Lee Dong Ha(BoB 14th), wac(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), Hossein Lotfi@@hosselot(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), Adwiteeya Agrawal, Rodolphe BRUNETTI@@eisw0lf(Lupus Nova), pattern-f@@pattern_F_, Ferdous Saljooki@@malwarezoo(Jamf), Murray Mike, Cristian Dinca (icmd.tech), Apple, Dave G.(supernetworks), Alex Radocea(supernetworks), Romain Lebesle(Khatima), Himanshu Bharti@@Xpl0itme(Khatima), Taavi Eomäe(Zone Media), Michael DePlante@@izobashi(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), BynarIO AI (bynar.io), Kirin@@Pwnrin, Atul R V, Asaf Cohen, CVE-2024-43398, CVE-2024-49761, CVE-2025-6442, Vivek Dhar, ASI (RM) in Border Security Force, FTR HQ BSF Kashmir, Nikolai Skliarenko(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), Kirin@@Pwnrin(Microsoft), Jonathan Bar Or@@yo_yo_yo_jbo(Microsoft), Wang Yu(Cyberserval), 이동하 (Lee Dong Ha)(SSA Lab), Alexia Wilson(Microsoft), Christine Fossaceca(Microsoft), CVE-2025-6965, Ron Masas(BreakPoint), Pinak Oza, Wojciech Regula(SecuRing), Kirin@@Pwnrin(Fudan University), LFY@@secsys(Fudan University), Kenneth Chew, Rodolphe Brunetti@@eisw0lf(Lupus Nova), @@EthanArbuckle, iisBuri, Google Threat Analysis Group, Doug Hogan, KPC(Cisco Talos), @@RenwaX23, Zhongquan Li@@Guluisacat, Stanislav Jelezoglo, an anonymous researcher(Microsoft), Amy@@asentientbot, CVE-2025-32462, CVE-2025-53906, Aleksejs Popovs, Phil Beauvoir, Google Big Sleep, Gary Kwong, rheza@@ginggilBesel, Justin Cohen(Google), Nan Wang@@eternalsakura13, rheza@@ginggilBesel(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), shandikri(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), Gary Kwong(Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative), Tom Van Goethem, @@cloudlldb

Affected Software

18 affected componentsFixes available
rubygems/rexml<3.3.6
3.3.6
debian/ruby2.7<=2.7.4-1+deb11u1
2.7.4-1+deb11u5
debian/ruby3.1<=3.1.2-7+deb12u1
debian/ruby3.3
3.3.8-2
F5 BIG-IP Next SPK
F5 BIG-IP Next SPK>=1.7.0<=1.9.2
ruby-lang Rexml Ruby<3.3.6
All of the following
NetApp Bootstrap Os
NetApp Hci Compute Node
Apple macOS Sonoma<14.8.2
14.8.2
Apple macOS Sequoia<15.7.2
15.7.2
Apple macOS Tahoe<26.1
26.1
Microsoft azl3 ruby 3.3.3-2
Patch available
Microsoft azl3 rubygem-rexml 3.3.9-1
Patch available
Microsoft cbl2 ruby 3.1.4-9
Patch available
Microsoft azl3 ruby 3.3.5-1
Patch available
Microsoft azl3 rubygem-rexml 3.3.4-1
Patch available
Microsoft cbl2 rubygem-rexml 3.2.9-1
Patch available

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade rubygems/rexml to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.3.6
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/ruby2.7 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.7.4-1+deb11u5
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/ruby3.3 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.3.8-2
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 15.7.2
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 14.8.2
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 26.1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade REXML gem to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.3.6
  8. Configuration

    If you parse XML input, avoid using tree parser APIs such as REXML::Document.new on untrusted XML; the material notes this vulnerability applies to tree parser API usage and not to stream/SAX2 parser APIs.

    REXML (Ruby XML toolkit) Use of tree parser API (e.g., REXML::Document.new) = Do not parse untrusted XMLs with tree parser API

Event History

Aug 22, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:14 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:14 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:15 PM
Affected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:21 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Advisory Published
via GitHub·04:40 PM
Dec 19, 2024
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Feb 14, 2025
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·08:39 AM
Description
Apr 11, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·03:37 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 13, 2025
Data Sourced
via Debian·03:45 PM
DescriptionAffected Software
Nov 3, 2025
Data Sourced
via Apple·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Apple·12:00 AM
Description
Updated
via Apple·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Updated
via Apple·12:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Apple·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Apple·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-43398?

CVE-2024-43398 has a severity rating of moderate, primarily due to its potential to cause a denial of service.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-43398?

To fix CVE-2024-43398, upgrade the REXML gem to version 3.3.6 or later.

3

What is the impact of CVE-2024-43398?

CVE-2024-43398 can lead to a denial of service when parsing deeply nested XML with similar local name attributes.

4

Which versions of REXML are affected by CVE-2024-43398?

REXML gem versions prior to 3.3.6 are affected by CVE-2024-43398.

5

Can I use REXML for parsing untrusted XML data with CVE-2024-43398?

It is not recommended to use REXML for parsing untrusted XML data due to the risk posed by CVE-2024-43398.

Company

Resources

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203
CVE-2024-43398 - REXML denial of service vulnerability - SecAlerts