How severe is CVE-2023-39975?

CVE-2023-39975 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-39975 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-39975?

CVE-2023-39975 affects Mit Kerberos 5. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-39975?

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-2023-39975 published?

CVE-2023-39975 was published on 2023-08-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-39975

CVE-2023-39975 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mit Kerberos 5 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-415.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-415
Affected product: Mit Kerberos 5
Published: 2023-08-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

kdc/do_tgs_req.c in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.21 before 1.21.2 has a double free that is reachable if an authenticated user can trigger an authorization-data handling failure. Incorrect data is copied from one ticket to another.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-39975?: kdc/do_tgs_req.c in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.21 before 1.21.2 has a double free that is reachable if an authenticated user can trigger an authorization-data handling failure. Incorrect data is copied from one ticket to another.
How severe is CVE-2023-39975?: CVE-2023-39975 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-39975 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-39975?: CVE-2023-39975 affects Mit Kerberos 5. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-39975?: 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-2023-39975 published?: CVE-2023-39975 was published on 2023-08-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mit:kerberos_5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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