CVE-2023-38852 (GCVE-0-2023-38852)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2023-08-15 00:00 – Updated: 2025-11-04 22:04
VLAI
EPSS
VEX
Summary
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the unicode_decode_wcstombs function in xlstool.c:266.
Severity
6.5 (Medium)
CWE
- n/a
Assigner
References
5 references
{
"containers": {
"adp": [
{
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2025-11-04T22:04:54.560Z",
"orgId": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108",
"shortName": "CVE"
},
"references": [
{
"tags": [
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124"
},
{
"name": "FEDORA-2024-e74783429c",
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/"
},
{
"name": "FEDORA-2024-8b67e47e43",
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory",
"x_transferred"
],
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/"
},
{
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/"
},
{
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/"
}
],
"title": "CVE Program Container"
}
],
"cna": {
"affected": [
{
"product": "n/a",
"vendor": "n/a",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "n/a"
}
]
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the unicode_decode_wcstombs function in xlstool.c:266."
}
],
"problemTypes": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"description": "n/a",
"lang": "en",
"type": "text"
}
]
}
],
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2024-02-27T03:06:34.676Z",
"orgId": "8254265b-2729-46b6-b9e3-3dfca2d5bfca",
"shortName": "mitre"
},
"references": [
{
"url": "https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124"
},
{
"name": "FEDORA-2024-e74783429c",
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory"
],
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/"
},
{
"name": "FEDORA-2024-8b67e47e43",
"tags": [
"vendor-advisory"
],
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/"
}
]
}
},
"cveMetadata": {
"assignerOrgId": "8254265b-2729-46b6-b9e3-3dfca2d5bfca",
"assignerShortName": "mitre",
"cveId": "CVE-2023-38852",
"datePublished": "2023-08-15T00:00:00.000Z",
"dateReserved": "2023-07-25T00:00:00.000Z",
"dateUpdated": "2025-11-04T22:04:54.560Z",
"state": "PUBLISHED"
},
"dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
"dataVersion": "5.2",
"vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
"epss": {
"cve": "CVE-2023-38852",
"date": "2026-09-15",
"epss": "0.01329",
"percentile": "0.69495"
},
"fkie_nvd": {
"configurations": "[{\"nodes\": [{\"operator\": \"OR\", \"negate\": false, \"cpeMatch\": [{\"vulnerable\": true, \"criteria\": \"cpe:2.3:a:libxls_project:libxls:1.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*\", \"matchCriteriaId\": \"716193D2-B36C-4AED-BB10-43E8E89E2E0A\"}]}]}]",
"descriptions": "[{\"lang\": \"en\", \"value\": \"Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the unicode_decode_wcstombs function in xlstool.c:266.\"}, {\"lang\": \"es\", \"value\": \"La vulnerabilidad de desbordamiento del b\\u00fafer en libxls v.1.6.2 permite a un atacante remoto ejecutar c\\u00f3digo arbitrario y provocar una denegaci\\u00f3n de servicio a trav\\u00e9s de un archivo XLS manipulado a la funci\\u00f3n unicode_decode_wcstombs en xlstool.c:266.\\n\"}]",
"id": "CVE-2023-38852",
"lastModified": "2024-11-21T08:14:17.623",
"metrics": "{\"cvssMetricV31\": [{\"source\": \"nvd@nist.gov\", \"type\": \"Primary\", \"cvssData\": {\"version\": \"3.1\", \"vectorString\": \"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H\", \"baseScore\": 6.5, \"baseSeverity\": \"MEDIUM\", \"attackVector\": \"NETWORK\", \"attackComplexity\": \"LOW\", \"privilegesRequired\": \"NONE\", \"userInteraction\": \"REQUIRED\", \"scope\": \"UNCHANGED\", \"confidentialityImpact\": \"NONE\", \"integrityImpact\": \"NONE\", \"availabilityImpact\": \"HIGH\"}, \"exploitabilityScore\": 2.8, \"impactScore\": 3.6}]}",
"published": "2023-08-15T17:15:10.760",
"references": "[{\"url\": \"https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124\", \"source\": \"cve@mitre.org\", \"tags\": [\"Exploit\", \"Issue Tracking\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/\", \"source\": \"cve@mitre.org\"}, {\"url\": \"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/\", \"source\": \"cve@mitre.org\"}, {\"url\": \"https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124\", \"source\": \"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\", \"tags\": [\"Exploit\", \"Issue Tracking\"]}, {\"url\": \"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/\", \"source\": \"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"}, {\"url\": \"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/\", \"source\": \"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"}]",
"sourceIdentifier": "cve@mitre.org",
"vulnStatus": "Modified",
"weaknesses": "[{\"source\": \"nvd@nist.gov\", \"type\": \"Primary\", \"description\": [{\"lang\": \"en\", \"value\": \"CWE-787\"}]}]"
},
"nvd": "{\"cve\":{\"id\":\"CVE-2023-38852\",\"sourceIdentifier\":\"cve@mitre.org\",\"published\":\"2023-08-15T17:15:10.760\",\"lastModified\":\"2026-06-17T06:11:11.787\",\"vulnStatus\":\"Modified\",\"cveTags\":[],\"descriptions\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the unicode_decode_wcstombs function in xlstool.c:266.\"},{\"lang\":\"es\",\"value\":\"La vulnerabilidad de desbordamiento del b\u00fafer en libxls v.1.6.2 permite a un atacante remoto ejecutar c\u00f3digo arbitrario y provocar una denegaci\u00f3n de servicio a trav\u00e9s de un archivo XLS manipulado a la funci\u00f3n unicode_decode_wcstombs en xlstool.c:266.\\n\"}],\"affected\":[{\"source\":\"cve@mitre.org\",\"affectedData\":[{\"vendor\":\"n/a\",\"product\":\"n/a\",\"versions\":[{\"version\":\"n/a\",\"status\":\"affected\"}]}]}],\"metrics\":{\"cvssMetricV31\":[{\"source\":\"nvd@nist.gov\",\"type\":\"Primary\",\"cvssData\":{\"version\":\"3.1\",\"vectorString\":\"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H\",\"baseScore\":6.5,\"baseSeverity\":\"MEDIUM\",\"attackVector\":\"NETWORK\",\"attackComplexity\":\"LOW\",\"privilegesRequired\":\"NONE\",\"userInteraction\":\"REQUIRED\",\"scope\":\"UNCHANGED\",\"confidentialityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"integrityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"availabilityImpact\":\"HIGH\"},\"exploitabilityScore\":2.8,\"impactScore\":3.6}]},\"weaknesses\":[{\"source\":\"nvd@nist.gov\",\"type\":\"Primary\",\"description\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"CWE-787\"}]}],\"configurations\":[{\"nodes\":[{\"operator\":\"OR\",\"negate\":false,\"cpeMatch\":[{\"vulnerable\":true,\"criteria\":\"cpe:2.3:a:libxls_project:libxls:1.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*\",\"matchCriteriaId\":\"716193D2-B36C-4AED-BB10-43E8E89E2E0A\"}]}]}],\"references\":[{\"url\":\"https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124\",\"source\":\"cve@mitre.org\",\"tags\":[\"Exploit\",\"Issue Tracking\"]},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/\",\"source\":\"cve@mitre.org\"},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/\",\"source\":\"cve@mitre.org\"},{\"url\":\"https://github.com/libxls/libxls/issues/124\",\"source\":\"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\",\"tags\":[\"Exploit\",\"Issue Tracking\"]},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/\",\"source\":\"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/\",\"source\":\"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JQYGEBDBCOWBRHOW44BSSRADUOZBXHUE/\",\"source\":\"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"},{\"url\":\"https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YHBUPYF2NX34HNAWZ3WYHKWU3KWVQUSV/\",\"source\":\"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108\"}]}}",
"redhat_vex": {
"current_release_date": "2025-11-21T10:18:24+00:00",
"cve": "CVE-2023-38852",
"id": "CVE-2023-38852",
"initial_release_date": "2023-08-15T00:00:00+00:00",
"product_status:known_not_affected": "1",
"source": "Red Hat CSAF VEX",
"status": "final",
"title": "libxls: heap buffer overflow in xls_parseWorkBook() in xls.c",
"url": "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2023/cve-2023-38852.json",
"version": "3"
},
"suse_vex": {
"aggregate_severity": "moderate",
"current_release_date": "2025-07-01T00:20:51Z",
"cve": "CVE-2023-38852",
"id": "CVE-2023-38852",
"initial_release_date": "2023-08-16T23:19:05Z",
"source": "SUSE CSAF VEX",
"status": "interim",
"title": "SUSE CVE CVE-2023-38852",
"url": "https://ftp.suse.com/pub/projects/security/csaf-vex/cve-2023-38852.json",
"version": "8"
}
}
}
Loading…
Loading…
Experimental. This forecast is provided for visualization only and may change without notice. Do not use it for operational decisions.
Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.
Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date | Other |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
- Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
- Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Loading…
The MITRE ATT&CK techniques below are AI-generated suggestions, inferred from the description of the
vulnerability by the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-classification-roberta-base
model, served locally by ML-Gateway.
They have not been verified by an analyst and are provided for guidance only.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
Loading…
Related by attack behaviour
Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.
Loading…