libxml2: Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres
CVE-2026-86144 is a high-severity incorrect resource transfer between spheres vulnerability in libxml2 from Xmlsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.15.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating libxml2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.19% 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
- Update libxml2 to 2.15.4 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.6 | Medium | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
In xinclude in libxml2 before 2.15.4, xmlXIncludeProcess and xmlXIncludeProcessTree do not propagate parseFlags. This has security relevance for, for example, the XML_PARSE_NONET flag, if (without it) a custom resource loader accesses the internet and triggers XML external entity injection, SSRF, or a denial of service (e.g., for an attacker-controlled internet resource that is intentionally slow).
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres
The product does not properly transfer a resource/behavior to another sphere, or improperly imports a resource/behavior from another sphere, in a manner that provides unintended control over that resource.
More Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres vulnerabilities (CWE-669)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in libxml2
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.