How severe is CVE-2023-41913?

CVE-2023-41913 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-2023-41913 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-41913?

CVE-2023-41913 affects Strongswan. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-41913?

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-2023-41913 published?

CVE-2023-41913 was published on 2023-12-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-41913

CVE-2023-41913 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Strongswan 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-120.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-120
Affected product: Strongswan
Published: 2023-12-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

strongSwan before 5.9.12 has a buffer overflow and possible unauthenticated remote code execution via a DH public value that exceeds the internal buffer in charon-tkm's DH proxy. The earliest affected version is 5.3.0. An attack can occur via a crafted IKE_SA_INIT message.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-41913?: strongSwan before 5.9.12 has a buffer overflow and possible unauthenticated remote code execution via a DH public value that exceeds the internal buffer in charon-tkm's DH proxy. The earliest affected version is 5.3.0. An attack can occur via a crafted IKE_SA_INIT message.
How severe is CVE-2023-41913?: CVE-2023-41913 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-2023-41913 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-41913?: CVE-2023-41913 affects Strongswan. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-41913?: 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-2023-41913 published?: CVE-2023-41913 was published on 2023-12-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:strongswan:strongswan:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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