libxlsv 1.6.2 XLS File xlstool.c get_string 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 has been found in libxlsv 1.6.2 and classified as critical. The impacted element is the function get_string of the file xlstool.c of the component XLS File Handler. The manipulation leads to buffer overflow. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2023-38856. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in libxlsv 1.6.2. This issue affects the function get_string of the file xlstool.c of the component XLS File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is 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 get_string function in xlstool.c:411.

The weakness was presented 08/15/2023 as 124. The advisory is shared at github.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-38856 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 01/20/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 232113 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-38856), 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 databases at Tenable (232113) and EUVD (EUVD-2023-42629). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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

AVACAuCIA
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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: 232113
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-38856

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 🔍
01/20/2026 +889 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 124
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-38856 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-38856
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-237233
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2023 21:27
Updated: 01/20/2026 07:07
Changes: 08/15/2023 21:27 (40), 09/09/2023 19:00 (11), 03/06/2025 21:34 (17), 01/20/2026 07:07 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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