CVE-2023-29132: Irssi 1.3.x and 1.4.x before 1.4.4 has a use-after-free because of use of a stale special collector reference

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-29132 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting irssi. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Irssi 1.3.x and 1.4.x before 1.4.4 has a use-after-free because of use of a stale special collector reference. This occurs when printing of a non-formatted line is concurrent with printing of a formatted line.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2023-04-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: irssi

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-04-14 01:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

irssi irssi UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.3.0 and < 1.4.4

Fixed in: 1.4.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy irssi || rpm -q irssi || irssi --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade irssi

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade irssi

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison irssi sudo apt install irssi=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold irssi

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list irssi sudo dnf downgrade irssi-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add irssi

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-2023-29132?

irssi: upgrade to 1.4.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-29132 being exploited?

CVE-2023-29132 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-2023-29132 affect?

CVE-2023-29132 affects irssi. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). Irssi 1.3.x and 1.4.x before 1.4.4 has a use-after-free because of use of a stale special collector reference. This occurs when printing of a non-formatted line is concurrent with printing of a formatted line.

How urgent is CVE-2023-29132?

Priority 38/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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