CVE-2023-38546

3.7 LOW 6% exploit odds Fix listed Other

What it is

This flaw allows an attacker to insert cookies at will into a running program using libcurl, if the specific series of conditions are met. libcurl performs transfers. In its API, an application creates "easy handles" that are the individual handles for single transfers. libcurl provides a function call that duplicates en easy handle called [curl_easy_duphandle](https://curl.se/libcurl/c/curl_easy_duphandle.html). If a transfer has cookies enabled when the handle is duplicated, the cookie-enable state is also cloned - but without cloning the actual cookies. If the source handle did not read any cookies from a specific file on disk, the cloned version of the handle would instead store the file name as `none` (using the four ASCII letters, no quotes). Subsequent use of the cloned handle that does not explicitly set a source to load cookies from would then inadvertently load cookies from a file named `none` - if such a file exists and is readable in the current directory of the program using libcurl. And if using the correct file format of course.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.
Exploit odds: 6.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2023-10-18 04:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 06:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 6.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 3.7 LOW (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2023-10-18 04:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 06:10 UTC
Exploit probability: 6.0% · EPSS, next 30 days
Record status: Modified

Affected

Haxx Libcurl < 8.4.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 3.7

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: High
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: Low
Availability: None

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

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-2023-38546.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-38546. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record