How severe is CVE-2022-40304?

CVE-2022-40304 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-40304 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-2022-40304?

CVE-2022-40304 primarily affects Xmlsoft Libxml2. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-40304?

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-2022-40304 published?

CVE-2022-40304 was published on 2022-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-40304

CVE-2022-40304 is a high-severity vulnerability in Xmlsoft Libxml2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-415.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 7% (93rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-415
Affected product: Xmlsoft Libxml2
Published: 2022-11-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in libxml2 before 2.10.3. Certain invalid XML entity definitions can corrupt a hash table key, potentially leading to subsequent logic errors. In one case, a double-free can be provoked.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-40304?: An issue was discovered in libxml2 before 2.10.3. Certain invalid XML entity definitions can corrupt a hash table key, potentially leading to subsequent logic errors. In one case, a double-free can be provoked.
How severe is CVE-2022-40304?: CVE-2022-40304 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2022-40304 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-2022-40304?: CVE-2022-40304 primarily affects Xmlsoft Libxml2. In total, 17 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-40304?: 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-2022-40304 published?: CVE-2022-40304 was published on 2022-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (17)

cpe:2.3:a:xmlsoft:libxml2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:active_iq_unified_manager:-:*:*:*:*:vmware_vsphere:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:clustered_data_ontap:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:clustered_data_ontap_antivirus_connector:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:manageability_software_development_kit:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:smi-s_provider:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapmanager:-:*:*:*:*:hyper-v:*:*
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:h410s_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netapp:h410c_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:ipados:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:tvos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:watchos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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…
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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…
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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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Other CWE-415 (Double Free) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2020-37239 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): libbabl 0.1.62 contains a broken double free detection vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass memory safety…
CVE-2026-43011 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/x25: Fix potential double free of skb When…
CVE-2026-31609 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: avoid double-free in…
CVE-2026-31608 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: server: avoid double-free in…

Browse all CWE-415 (Double Free) vulnerabilities →