How severe is CVE-2023-42448?

CVE-2023-42448 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-42448 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-42448?

CVE-2023-42448 affects Iohk Hydra. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-42448?

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-2023-42448 published?

CVE-2023-42448 was published on 2023-10-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-42448

CVE-2023-42448 is a high-severity vulnerability in Iohk Hydra with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-1284.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (52nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-1284
Affected product: Iohk Hydra
Published: 2023-10-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Prior to version 0.13.0, the specification states that the contestation period in the datum of the UTxO at the head validator must stay unchanged as the state progresses from Open to Closed (Close transaction), but no such check appears to be performed in the `checkClose` function of the head validator. This would allow a malicious participant to modify the contestation deadline of the head to either allow them to fanout the head without giving another participant the chance to contest, or prevent any participant from ever redistributing the funds locked in the head via a fan-out. Version 0.13.0 contains a patch for this issue.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-42448?: Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Prior to version 0.13.0, the specification states that the contestation period in the datum of the UTxO at the head validator must stay unchanged as the state progresses from Open to Closed (Close transaction), but no such check appears to be performed in the `checkClose` function of the head validator. This would allow a malicious participant to modify the contestation deadline of the head to either allow them to fanout the head without giving another participant the chance to contest, or prevent any participant from ever redistributing the funds locked in the head via a fan-out. Version 0.13.0 contains a patch for this issue.
How severe is CVE-2023-42448?: CVE-2023-42448 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-42448 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (52nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-42448?: CVE-2023-42448 affects Iohk Hydra. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-42448?: 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-2023-42448 published?: CVE-2023-42448 was published on 2023-10-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:iohk:hydra:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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CVE-2023-38701 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Users of the Hydra head protocol send the UTxOs they wish to…
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CVE-2023-42806 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Prior to version 0.13.0, not signing and verifying…

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