CVE-2004-0989

CVE-2004-0989 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Xmlsoft Libxml with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 22% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 22% (97th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Xmlsoft Libxml
• Published: 2005-03-01
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long FTP URL that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanURL function, (2) a long proxy URL containing FTP data that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanProxy function, and other overflows related to manipulation of DNS length values, including (3) xmlNanoFTPConnect, (4) xmlNanoHTTPConnectHost, and (5) xmlNanoHTTPConnectHost.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2004-0989?

Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long FTP URL that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanURL function, (2) a long proxy URL containing FTP data that is not properly handled by the xmlNanoFTPScanProxy function, and other overflows related to manipulation of DNS length values, including (3) xmlNanoFTPConnect, (4) xmlNanoHTTPConnectHost, and (5) xmlNanoHTTPConnectHost.

How severe is CVE-2004-0989?

CVE-2004-0989 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2004-0989 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2004-0989?

CVE-2004-0989 primarily affects Xmlsoft Libxml. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2004-0989?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2004-0989 published?

CVE-2004-0989 was published on 2005-03-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000890
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2005/Jan/msg00001.html
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=109880813013482&w=2
• http://secunia.com/advisories/13000
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1011941
• http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/p-029.shtml
• http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-582
• http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200411-05.xml
• http://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2005_01_sr.html
• http://www.osvdb.org/11179
• http://www.osvdb.org/11180
• http://www.osvdb.org/11324
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-615.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-650.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/11526
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17870
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17872
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17875
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/17876
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10505
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1173
• https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-89-1/

Affected products (16)

• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml:1.8.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.5.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.6.14:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:xmlstarlet:command_line_xml_toolkit:0.9.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:fedora_core:core_2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:trustix:secure_linux:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:trustix:secure_linux:2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:ubuntu:ubuntu_linux:4.1:*:ia64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:ubuntu:ubuntu_linux:4.1:*:ppc:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Xmlsoft Libxml

• CVE-2008-4226 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Integer overflow in the xmlSAX2Characters function in libxml2 2.7.2 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a…
• CVE-2011-1944 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): Integer overflow in xpath.c in libxml2 2.6.x through 2.6.32 and 2.7.x through 2.7.8, and libxml 1.8.16 and earlier,…
• CVE-2008-4225 — High (CVSS 7.8): Integer overflow in the xmlBufferResize function in libxml2 2.7.2 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial…
• CVE-2004-0110 — High (CVSS 7.5): Buffer overflow in the (1) nanohttp or (2) nanoftp modules in XMLSoft Libxml 2 (Libxml2) 2.6.0 through 2.6.5 allow…
• CVE-2009-2416 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): Multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities in libxml2 2.5.10, 2.6.16, 2.6.26, 2.6.27, and 2.6.32, and libxml 1.8.17, allow…
• CVE-2015-1819 — Medium (CVSS 5.0): The xmlreader in libxml allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via crafted XML data,…

All CVEs affecting Xmlsoft Libxml →