CVE-2023-23461 in Libpeconv
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2023
Libpeconv – access violation, before commit b076013 (30/11/2022).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23461 affects the libpeconv library, a widely used C++ library for parsing and manipulating Portable Executable files. This library serves as a foundational component in various security tools, malware analysis frameworks, and reverse engineering applications. The issue manifests as an access violation that occurs prior to commit b076013 dated November 30, 2022, indicating a regression or unaddressed flaw in the codebase that was introduced before this specific revision. The vulnerability represents a critical security concern as libpeconv is frequently integrated into security applications and tools that process potentially malicious executable files, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical flaw within libpeconv stems from improper memory management and insufficient input validation during the parsing of PE file structures. When processing malformed or crafted PE files, the library fails to properly handle memory access patterns, leading to access violations that can result in application crashes or potentially enable arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also align with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The access violation occurs during the parsing phase when the library attempts to read memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated, creating a potential attack surface for adversaries who can craft malicious PE files to trigger the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can compromise the integrity and availability of security tools that depend on libpeconv. Security analysts and researchers who utilize this library for malware analysis, penetration testing, or binary analysis may find their tools failing when processing certain PE files, potentially leading to missed security incidents or false negatives in threat detection. The vulnerability particularly affects automated analysis systems and sandbox environments that process large volumes of executable files, where a single malformed file could cause system-wide failures. This issue can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt security operations through denial-of-service attacks or to evade detection by causing security tools to crash during analysis, as documented in ATT&CK technique T1490 for denial of service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23461 primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of libpeconv that includes the fix implemented after commit b076013. System administrators and security tool vendors should prioritize updating their installations to ensure that the memory management and input validation issues have been resolved. Additionally, implementing defensive programming practices such as input sanitization, memory bounds checking, and proper error handling can help reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on memory management practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the security toolchain, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.