How severe is CVE-2023-5978?

CVE-2023-5978 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-5978 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-5978?

CVE-2023-5978 primarily affects Freebsd. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-5978?

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-2023-5978 published?

CVE-2023-5978 was published on 2023-11-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-5978

CVE-2023-5978 is a high-severity vulnerability in Freebsd with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (40th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Freebsd
Published: 2023-11-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In versions of FreeBSD 13-RELEASE before 13-RELEASE-p5, under certain circumstances the cap_net libcasper(3) service incorrectly validates that updated constraints are strictly subsets of the active constraints. When only a list of resolvable domain names was specified without setting any other limitations, an application could submit a new list of domains including include entries not previously listed. This could permit the application to resolve domain names that were previously restricted.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-5978?: In versions of FreeBSD 13-RELEASE before 13-RELEASE-p5, under certain circumstances the cap_net libcasper(3) service incorrectly validates that updated constraints are strictly subsets of the active constraints. When only a list of resolvable domain names was specified without setting any other limitations, an application could submit a new list of domains including include entries not previously listed. This could permit the application to resolve domain names that were previously restricted.
How severe is CVE-2023-5978?: CVE-2023-5978 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-5978 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-5978?: CVE-2023-5978 primarily affects Freebsd. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-5978?: 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-2023-5978 published?: CVE-2023-5978 was published on 2023-11-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:13.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:13.2:p1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:13.2:p2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:13.2:p3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:13.2:p4:*:*:*:*:*:*

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