---
id: CVE-2016-9318
title: >-
  libxml2 2.9.4 and earlier, as used in XMLSec 1.2.23 and earlier and other
  products, does not offer a flag directly indicating that the current document
  may be read but other files may not be opened, which makes it easier for
  remote attac…
summary: >-
  libxml2 2.9.4 and earlier, as used in XMLSec 1.2.23 and earlier and other
  products, does not offer a flag directly indicating that the current document
  may be read but other files may not be opened, which makes it easier for
  remote attac…
severity: medium
cvss: 5.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-611
  - CWE-611
vendor: xmlsoft
product: libxml2
affected:
  - libxml2 <= 2.9.4
  - ubuntu_linux = 12.04
  - ubuntu_linux = 14.04
  - ubuntu_linux = 16.04
  - ubuntu_linux = 18.04
published: '2016-11-16'
updated: '2026-10-14'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-14T07:16:38.733'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9318'
references:
  - url: 'http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94347'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=772726'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://github.com/lsh123/xmlsec/issues/43'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/04/msg00004.html'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-01'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://usn.ubuntu.com/3739-1/'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://usn.ubuntu.com/3739-2/'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94347'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=772726'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://github.com/lsh123/xmlsec/issues/43'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/04/msg00004.html'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-01'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://usn.ubuntu.com/3739-1/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://usn.ubuntu.com/3739-2/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html'
    label: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.02938
epssPercentile: 0.86776
ingestedAt: '2026-10-14T07:21:04.794Z'
---

## Overview

libxml2 2.9.4 and earlier, as used in XMLSec 1.2.23 and earlier and other products, does not offer a flag directly indicating that the current document may be read but other files may not be opened, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted document.

## Affected

- `libxml2 <= 2.9.4`
- `ubuntu_linux = 12.04`
- `ubuntu_linux = 14.04`
- `ubuntu_linux = 16.04`
- `ubuntu_linux = 18.04`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.