CVE-2023-29491: ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevan

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-29491?

ncurses: upgrade to 6.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-29491 being exploited?

CVE-2023-29491 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2023-29491 affect?

CVE-2023-29491 affects ncurses. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevant memory corruption via malformed data in a terminfo database file that is found in $HOME/.terminfo or reached via the TERMINFO or

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-29491?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2023-29491 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting ncurses. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevant memory corruption via malformed data in a terminfo database file that is found in $HOME/.terminfo or reached via the TERMINFO or TERM environment variable.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2023-04-14
Last modified	2026-10-14

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: invisible-island

Last updated 2026-10-14 · 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
2026-10-14 23:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

invisible-island ncurses UPGRADE

Affected: < 6.4

Fixed in: 6.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 6.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ncurses

Note

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

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-2023-29491?

ncurses: upgrade to 6.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-29491 being exploited?

CVE-2023-29491 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-2023-29491 affect?

CVE-2023-29491 affects ncurses. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). ncurses before 6.4 20230408, when used by a setuid application, allows local users to trigger security-relevant memory corruption via malformed data in a terminfo database file that is found in $HOME/.terminfo or reached via the TERMINFO or

How urgent is CVE-2023-29491?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

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References

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