libxlsv 1.6.2 XLS File xlstool.c unicode_decode_wcstombs buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in libxlsv 1.6.2. This vulnerability affects the function unicode_decode_wcstombs of the file xlstool.c of the component XLS File Handler. This manipulation causes buffer overflow. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-38852. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in libxlsv 1.6.2. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function unicode_decode_wcstombs of the file xlstool.c of the component XLS File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

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.

The weakness was shared 08/15/2023 as 124. The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-38852 since 07/25/2023. 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 11/06/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 232147 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-38852), 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 (232147). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

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

NVD Base Score: 6.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 232147
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-38852

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/25/2023 🔍
08/15/2023 +21 days 🔍
08/15/2023 +0 days 🔍
11/06/2025 +814 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 124
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-38852 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-38852
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-237229

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2023 21:26
Updated: 11/06/2025 08:46
Changes: 08/15/2023 21:26 (40), 09/09/2023 18:36 (11), 03/06/2025 19:17 (17), 11/06/2025 08:46 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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