CVE-2023-31979: Catdoc v0.95 was discovered to contain a global buffer overflow via the function process_file at /src/reader.c

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-31979 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting catdoc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Catdoc v0.95 was discovered to contain a global buffer overflow via the function process_file at /src/reader.c.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 80%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2023-05-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fossies

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-05-09 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

fossies catdoc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.95

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.95

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.95 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison catdoc sudo apt install catdoc=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.95> sudo apt-mark hold catdoc

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

dnf --showduplicates list catdoc sudo dnf downgrade catdoc-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.95> sudo dnf versionlock add catdoc

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-2023-31979?

catdoc: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-31979 being exploited?

CVE-2023-31979 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-2023-31979 affect?

CVE-2023-31979 affects catdoc. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Catdoc v0.95 was discovered to contain a global buffer overflow via the function process_file at /src/reader.c.

How urgent is CVE-2023-31979?

Priority 37/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-54028 HIGH 8.4 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE An integer underflow vulnerability exists in the OLE Document DIFAT Parser functionality of catdoc 0.95
CVE-2024-52035 HIGH 8.4 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE An integer overflow vulnerability exists in the OLE Document File Allocation Table Parser functionality of cat
CVE-2023-46345 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Catdoc v0.95 was discovered to contain a NULL pointer dereference via the component xls2csv at src/xlsparse.c.
CVE-2023-41633 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE Catdoc v0.95 was discovered to contain a NULL pointer dereference via the component xls2csv at src/fileutil.c.
CVE-2017-11110 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE The ole_init function in ole.c in catdoc 0.95 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based

References

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