CVE-2023-33221:
When reading DesFire keys, the function that reads the card isn't properly checking the boundaries wh
40
This month
MEDIUM 6.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2023-33221 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting sigma lite firmware, sigma lite\+ firmware, sigma extreme firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
When reading DesFire keys, the function that reads the card isn't properly checking the boundaries when copying
internally the data received. This allows a heap based buffer overflow that could lead to a potential Remote Code
Execution on the targeted device. This is especially problematic if you use Default DESFire key.
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
Published CVE record published
Updated Record last modified
idemia sigma lite firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.15.5
Fixed in: 4.15.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
idemia sigma lite\+ firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.15.5
Fixed in: 4.15.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
idemia sigma extreme firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.15.5
Fixed in: 4.15.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
idemia sigma wide firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.15.5
Fixed in: 4.15.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
idemia morphowave compact firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 2.12.2
Fixed in: 2.12.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
idemia morphowave xp firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 2.12.2
Fixed in: 2.12.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official sourceNVD · 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-2023-33221?
sigma lite firmware: upgrade to 4.15.5; sigma lite\+ firmware: upgrade to 4.15.5; sigma extreme firmware: upgrade to 4.15.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2023-33221 being exploited?
CVE-2023-33221 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-2023-33221 affect?
CVE-2023-33221 affects sigma lite firmware, sigma lite\+ firmware, sigma extreme firmware. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8).
When reading DesFire keys, the function that reads the card isn't properly checking the boundaries when copying
internally the data received. This allows a heap based buffer overflow that could lead to a potential Remote Code
Exe
How urgent is CVE-2023-33221?
Priority 40/100. No elevated risk signals yet.
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