CVE-2023-46256
CVE-2023-46256 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Dronecode Px4 Drone Autopilot with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.4. 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: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.4)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Dronecode Px4 Drone Autopilot
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
PX4-Autopilot provides PX4 flight control solution for drones. In versions 1.14.0-rc1 and prior, PX4-Autopilot has a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the parser function due to the absence of `parserbuf_index` value checking. A malfunction of the sensor device can cause a heap buffer overflow with leading unexpected drone behavior. Malicious applications can exploit the vulnerability even if device sensor malfunction does not occur. Up to the maximum value of an `unsigned int`, bytes sized data can be written to the heap memory area. As of time of publication, no fixed version is available.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-46256?
- PX4-Autopilot provides PX4 flight control solution for drones. In versions 1.14.0-rc1 and prior, PX4-Autopilot has a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the parser function due to the absence of `parserbuf_index` value checking. A malfunction of the sensor device can cause a heap buffer overflow with leading unexpected drone behavior. Malicious applications can exploit the vulnerability even if device sensor malfunction does not occur. Up to the maximum value of an `unsigned int`, bytes sized data can be written to the heap memory area. As of time of publication, no fixed version is available.
- How severe is CVE-2023-46256?
- CVE-2023-46256 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability low.
- Is CVE-2023-46256 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-46256?
- CVE-2023-46256 primarily affects Dronecode Px4 Drone Autopilot. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-46256?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2023-46256 published?
- CVE-2023-46256 was published on 2023-10-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/blob/main/src/drivers/distance_sensor/lightware_laser_serial/parser.cpp#L87
- https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/security/advisories/GHSA-5hvv-q2r5-rppw
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:a:dronecode:px4_drone_autopilot:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:dronecode:px4_drone_autopilot:1.14.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:dronecode:px4_drone_autopilot:1.14.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:dronecode:px4_drone_autopilot:1.14.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Dronecode Px4 Drone Autopilot
- CVE-2026-26742 — High (CVSS 8.1): PX4 Autopilot versions 1.12.x through 1.15.x contain a protection mechanism failure in the "Re-arm Grace Period" logic.…
- CVE-2026-26741 — High (CVSS 8.1): PX4 Autopilot versions 1.12.x through 1.15.x contain a logic flaw in the mode switching mechanism. When switching from…
- CVE-2024-40427 — High (CVSS 7.9): Stack Buffer Overflow in PX4-Autopilot v1.14.3, which allows attackers to execute commands to exploit this…
- CVE-2026-32708 — High (CVSS 7.8): PX4 autopilot is a flight control solution for drones. Prior to 1.17.0-rc2, the Zenoh uORB subscriber allocates a stack…
- CVE-2024-38952 — High (CVSS 7.5): PX4-Autopilot v1.14.3 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the topic_name parameter at…
- CVE-2021-46896 — High (CVSS 7.5): Buffer Overflow vulnerability in PX4-Autopilot allows attackers to cause a denial of service via handler function…
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