CVE-2023-40889
CVE-2023-40889 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Zbar Project Zbar with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (72nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Zbar Project Zbar
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-40889?
- A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.
- How severe is CVE-2023-40889?
- CVE-2023-40889 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2023-40889 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-40889?
- CVE-2023-40889 affects Zbar Project Zbar. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-40889?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2023-40889 published?
- CVE-2023-40889 was published on 2023-08-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://hackmd.io/%40cspl/B1ZkFZv23
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00001.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/25LZZQJGGZRPLKTRNRNOTAFQJIPS7WRP/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DC7V5YCLCPB36J2KY6WLZCABFLBRB665/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/DC7V5YCLCPB36J2KY6WLZCABFLBRB665/
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:zbar_project:zbar:0.23.90:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Zbar Project Zbar
- CVE-2023-40890 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the lookup_sequence function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted…
All CVEs affecting Zbar Project Zbar →
Other CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-42369 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): GV-VMS V20 is a Video Monitoring Software used to gather the feeds of many surveillance cameras and manage other…
- CVE-2026-4746 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in timeplus-io proton (base/poco/Foundation/src modules). This vulnerability is…
- CVE-2025-43300 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. This issue is fixed in iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS…
- CVE-2025-24201 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions. This issue is fixed in…
- CVE-2024-42479 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): llama.cpp provides LLM inference in C/C++. The unsafe `data` pointer member in the `rpc_tensor` structure can cause…
- CVE-2024-39791 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities affecting Vonets industrial wifi bridge relays and wifi bridge…