CVE-2022-39843: 123elf Lotus 1-2-3 before 1.0.0rc3 for Linux, and Lotus 1-2-3 R3 for UNIX and other platforms through 9.8.2, a

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-39843 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting lotus 1-2-3. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

123elf Lotus 1-2-3 before 1.0.0rc3 for Linux, and Lotus 1-2-3 R3 for UNIX and other platforms through 9.8.2, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted worksheet. This occurs because of a stack-based buffer overflow in the cell format processing routines, as demonstrated by a certain function call from process_fmt() that can be reached via a w3r_format element in a wk3 document.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 58%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2022-09-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: lotus 1-2-3 project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-09-05 07:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

lotus 1-2-3 project lotus 1-2-3 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.0 rc1 · 1.0.0 rc2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy lotus-1-2-3 || rpm -q lotus-1-2-3 || lotus-1-2-3 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison lotus-1-2-3 sudo apt install lotus-1-2-3=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold lotus-1-2-3

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list lotus-1-2-3 sudo dnf downgrade lotus-1-2-3-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add lotus-1-2-3

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-39843?

lotus 1-2-3: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-39843 being exploited?

CVE-2022-39843 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-39843 affect?

CVE-2022-39843 affects lotus 1-2-3. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). 123elf Lotus 1-2-3 before 1.0.0rc3 for Linux, and Lotus 1-2-3 R3 for UNIX and other platforms through 9.8.2, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted worksheet. This occurs because of a stack-based buffer overflow in the cell

How urgent is CVE-2022-39843?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

References

← Back to latest CVEs