CVE-2023-0466

What it is

The function X509_VERIFY_PARAM_add0_policy() is documented to implicitly enable the certificate policy check when doing certificate verification. However the implementation of the function does not enable the check which allows certificates with invalid or incorrect policies to pass the certificate verification. As suddenly enabling the policy check could break existing deployments it was decided to keep the existing behavior of the X509_VERIFY_PARAM_add0_policy() function. Instead the applications that require OpenSSL to perform certificate policy check need to use X509_VERIFY_PARAM_set1_policies() or explicitly enable the policy check by calling X509_VERIFY_PARAM_set_flags() with the X509_V_FLAG_POLICY_CHECK flag argument. Certificate policy checks are disabled by default in OpenSSL and are not commonly used by applications.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

1.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-03-28 15:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-14 21:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-03-28 15:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-14 21:17 UTC

Exploit probability

1.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-295 · Improper certificate validation

Record status

Modified

Affected

• OpenSSL < 1.0.2zh
• OpenSSL < 1.1.1u
• OpenSSL < 3.0.9
• OpenSSL < 3.1.1

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.3

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-0466.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-0466. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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