CVE-2023-29491
CVE-2023-29491 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnu Ncurses with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Gnu Ncurses
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevant memory corruption via malformed data in a terminfo database file that is found in $HOME/.terminfo or reached via the TERMINFO or TERM environment variable.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-29491?
- ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevant memory corruption via malformed data in a terminfo database file that is found in $HOME/.terminfo or reached via the TERMINFO or TERM environment variable.
- How severe is CVE-2023-29491?
- CVE-2023-29491 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2023-29491 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-29491?
- CVE-2023-29491 affects Gnu Ncurses. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-29491?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2023-29491 published?
- CVE-2023-29491 was published on 2023-04-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://ncurses.scripts.mit.edu/?p=ncurses.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=eb51b1ea1f75a0ec17c9c5937cb28df1e8eeec56
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/19/10
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/19/11
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00004.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/LU4MYMKFEZQ5VSCVLRIZGDQOUW3T44GT/
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230517-0009/
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213843
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213844
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213845
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/12/5
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/13/4
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/LU4MYMKFEZQ5VSCVLRIZGDQOUW3T44GT/
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:gnu:ncurses:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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