VDB-237827 · CVE-2023-38665 · EUVD-2023-42463

NASM 2.16rc0 ieee_write_file null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
4.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in NASM 2.16rc0. The impacted element is the function ieee_write_file. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-38665. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in NASM 2.16rc0 (Programming Tool Software). This issue affects the function ieee_write_file. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

Null pointer dereference in ieee_write_file in nasm 2.16rc0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash).

The weakness was disclosed 08/23/2023. It is possible to read the advisory at bugzilla.nasm.us. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-38665 since 07/23/2023. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 270033 (EulerOS 2.0 SP11 : nasm (EulerOS-SA-2025-2237)), 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 (270033) and EUVD (EUVD-2023-42463). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Programming Tool Software

Name

NASM

Version

2.16rc0

License

open-source

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.5

VulDB Base Score: 3.5
VulDB Temp Score: 3.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 270033
Nessus Name: EulerOS 2.0 SP11 : nasm (EulerOS-SA-2025-2237)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/23/2023 🔍
08/23/2023 +31 days 🔍
08/23/2023 +0 days 🔍
01/19/2026 +880 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: bugzilla.nasm.us
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-38665 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-38665
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-237827
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/23/2023 11:13
Updated: 01/19/2026 23:45
Changes: 08/23/2023 11:13 (38), 09/16/2023 11:43 (11), 10/12/2025 00:02 (17), 01/19/2026 23:45 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.