xmldom: Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity
CVE-2026-83613 is a high-severity inefficient algorithmic complexity vulnerability in xmldom, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected xmldom versions: <= 0.6.0; >= 0.9.0, < 0.9.12; >= 0.7.0, < 0.8.15. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of xmldom you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xmldom | xmldom | <= 0.6.0; >= 0.9.0, < 0.9.12; >= 0.7.0, < 0.8.15 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
xmldom is a pure JavaScript W3C standard-based (XML DOM Level 2 Core) DOMParser and XMLSerializer module. Prior to @xmldom/xmldom versions 0.8.15 and 0.9.12, and in xmldom version 0.6.0 and earlier, DOMHandler.startElement in lib/dom-parser.js inserts every parsed attribute through setAttributeNode, while NamedNodeMap.setNamedItem in lib/dom.js calls the linear getNamedItem or getNamedItemNS lookup for each insertion. A well-formed element with many distinct attributes therefore requires quadratic comparisons during DOMParser.parseFromString() and can stall a Node.js event loop before application validation. This issue is fixed in @xmldom/xmldom versions 0.8.15 and 0.9.12; no fixed version is available for xmldom.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity
An algorithm in a product has an inefficient worst-case computational complexity that may be detrimental to system performance and can be triggered by an attacker, typically using crafted manipulations that ensure that the worst case is being reached.
More Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity vulnerabilities (CWE-407)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/commit/2c548f200cfec991cd5846627ef8f03542309213
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/commit/cfb09b5dbeb035fdfedc9f01e2bbaf226bf47cf3
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/pull/1071
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/pull/1072
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/releases/tag/0.8.15
- github.com/xmldom/xmldom/releases/tag/0.9.12
Other vulnerabilities in xmldom
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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