How severe is CVE-2019-20388?

CVE-2019-20388 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-20388 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-20388?

CVE-2019-20388 primarily affects Xmlsoft Libxml2. In total, 29 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-20388?

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

When was CVE-2019-20388 published?

CVE-2019-20388 was published on 2020-01-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-20388

CVE-2019-20388 is a high-severity vulnerability in Xmlsoft Libxml2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-401
Affected product: Xmlsoft Libxml2
Published: 2020-01-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

xmlSchemaPreRun in xmlschemas.c in libxml2 2.9.10 allows an xmlSchemaValidateStream memory leak.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-20388?: xmlSchemaPreRun in xmlschemas.c in libxml2 2.9.10 allows an xmlSchemaValidateStream memory leak.
How severe is CVE-2019-20388?: CVE-2019-20388 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-20388 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-20388?: CVE-2019-20388 primarily affects Xmlsoft Libxml2. In total, 29 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-20388?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-20388 published?: CVE-2019-20388 was published on 2020-01-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (29)

cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:2.9.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:clustered_data_ontap:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:plug-in_for_symantec_netbackup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:smi-s_provider:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapdrive:-:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:steelstore_cloud_integrated_storage:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h300s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h500s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h700s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h300e_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h500e_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h700e_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h410s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_network_function_cloud_native_environment:1.10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_manager_base_platform:13.4.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_manager_base_platform:13.5.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_manager_ops_center:12.4.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:mysql_workbench:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools:8.58:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:real_user_experience_insight:13.3.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:real_user_experience_insight:13.4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:oracle:real_user_experience_insight:13.5.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:31:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Xmlsoft Libxml2

CVE-2008-3529 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Heap-based buffer overflow in the xmlParseAttValueComplex function in parser.c in libxml2 before 2.7.0 allows…
CVE-2004-0989 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Multiple buffer overflows in libXML 2.6.12 and 2.6.13 (libxml2), and possibly other versions, may allow remote…
CVE-2017-7376 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Buffer overflow in libxml2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging an incorrect limit for port…
CVE-2017-7375 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A flaw in libxml2 allows remote XML entity inclusion with default parser flags (i.e., when the caller did not request…
CVE-2017-16931 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): parser.c in libxml2 before 2.9.5 mishandles parameter-entity references because the NEXTL macro calls the…
CVE-2016-4658 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): xpointer.c in libxml2 before 2.9.5 (as used in Apple iOS before 10, OS X before 10.12, tvOS before 10, and watchOS…

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