How severe is CVE-2016-2099?

CVE-2016-2099 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-2099 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2099?

CVE-2016-2099 primarily affects Apache Xerces-c++. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2099?

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-2016-2099 published?

CVE-2016-2099 was published on 2016-05-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2099

CVE-2016-2099 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Xerces-c++ with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 7% (93rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Apache Xerces-c++
Published: 2016-05-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in validators/DTD/DTDScanner.cpp in Apache Xerces C++ 3.1.3 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact via an invalid character in an XML document.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2099?: Use-after-free vulnerability in validators/DTD/DTDScanner.cpp in Apache Xerces C++ 3.1.3 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact via an invalid character in an XML document.
How severe is CVE-2016-2099?: CVE-2016-2099 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-2099 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2099?: CVE-2016-2099 primarily affects Apache Xerces-c++. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2099?: 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-2016-2099 published?: CVE-2016-2099 was published on 2016-05-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:apache:xerces-c\+\+:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:13.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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