CVE-2023-23916

What it is

An allocation of resources without limits or throttling vulnerability exists in curl <v7.88.0 based on the "chained" HTTP compression algorithms, meaning that a server response can be compressed multiple times and potentially with differentalgorithms. The number of acceptable "links" in this "decompression chain" wascapped, but the cap was implemented on a per-header basis allowing a maliciousserver to insert a virtually unlimited number of compression steps simply byusing many headers. The use of such a decompression chain could result in a "malloc bomb", making curl end up spending enormous amounts of allocated heap memory, or trying to and returning out of memory errors.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

1.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2023-02-23 20:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-23 23:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2023-02-23 20:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-23 23:10 UTC

Exploit probability

1.7% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-770 · Allocation without limits

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Haxx Curl < 7.88.0
• Fedoraproject Fedora 36
• Debian Linux 10.0
• Debian Linux 11.0
• Netapp h300s Firmware
• Netapp h500s Firmware
• Netapp h700s Firmware
• Netapp h410s Firmware

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

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-2023-23916.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-23916. 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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