w3m 0.5.3 HTML etc.c checkType out-of-bounds write

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in w3m 0.5.3. Affected is the function checkType of the file etc.c of the component HTML Handler. This manipulation causes out-of-bounds write. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2022-38223. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in w3m 0.5.3 (Web Browser). Affected by this vulnerability is the function checkType of the file etc.c of the component HTML Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds write vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-787. The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

There is an out-of-bounds write in checkType located in etc.c in w3m 0.5.3. It can be triggered by sending a crafted HTML file to the w3m binary. It allows an attacker to cause Denial of Service or possibly have unspecified other impact.

The weakness was published 08/15/2022 as 242. The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2022-38223 since 08/15/2022. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 11/05/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 211439 (Fedora 37 : w3m (2022-7d2f942be2)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (211439). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds write
CWE: CWE-787 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 211439
Nessus Name: Fedora 37 : w3m (2022-7d2f942be2)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/15/2022 🔍
08/15/2022 +0 days 🔍
08/15/2022 +0 days 🔍
11/05/2025 +1178 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 242
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-38223 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-38223
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-206425

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2022 15:55
Updated: 11/05/2025 08:35
Changes: 08/15/2022 15:55 (41), 09/11/2022 14:38 (11), 11/15/2024 22:07 (16), 04/30/2025 06:47 (3), 11/05/2025 08:35 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion

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