PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-41080 libexpat project CVE debrief
CVE-2026-41080 is a vulnerability in libexpat, a popular XML parsing library. The issue arises from the library's use of insufficient entropy, making it vulnerable to hash flooding attacks via crafted XML documents. This CVE was published on 2026-04-16 and modified on 2026-06-12.
- Vendor
- libexpat project
- Product
- libexpat
- CVSS
- LOW 2.9
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-04-16
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-14
- Advisory published
- 2026-04-16
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-14
Who should care
Developers and administrators using libexpat versions before 2.8.0 should be aware of this vulnerability. Successful exploitation requires local access and specific conditions to be met, earning it a CVSS score of 2.9 (Low severity).
Technical summary
The vulnerability is caused by libexpat's inadequate entropy usage, which can lead to hash flooding. This issue is addressed in libexpat version 2.8.0. Users can refer to the release notes [ref-4] and patches [ref-6] for more information.
Defensive priority
Low
Recommended defensive actions
- Update libexpat to version 2.8.0 or later.
- Review and apply patches as available [ref-6].
Evidence notes
Evidence for this CVE comes from the NVD and CVE.org. The CVE was published on 2026-04-16 and last modified on 2026-06-12.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-41080 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-41080
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-41080 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41080
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://blog.hartwork.org/posts/expat-2-8-0-released/
[email protected] - Release Notes
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/issues/47
[email protected] - Issue Tracking
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/pull/1183
[email protected] - Issue Tracking, Patch
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/26/1
[email protected] - Mailing List
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.