CVE-2023-33982: Bramble Handshake Protocol (BHP) in Briar before 1.5.3 is not forward secure: eavesdroppers can decrypt networ

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-33982?

briar: upgrade to 1.5.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-33982 being exploited?

CVE-2023-33982 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-2023-33982 affect?

CVE-2023-33982 affects briar. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). Bramble Handshake Protocol (BHP) in Briar before 1.5.3 is not forward secure: eavesdroppers can decrypt network traffic between two accounts if they later compromise both accounts. NOTE: the eavesdropping is typically impractical because BH

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-33982?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-33982 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting briar. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Bramble Handshake Protocol (BHP) in Briar before 1.5.3 is not forward secure: eavesdroppers can decrypt network traffic between two accounts if they later compromise both accounts. NOTE: the eavesdropping is typically impractical because BHP runs over an encrypted session that uses the Tor hidden service protocol.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-326
Published	2023-05-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: briarproject

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-05-24 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

briarproject briar UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.5.3

Fixed in: 1.5.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.5.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade briar

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-2023-33982?

briar: upgrade to 1.5.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-33982 being exploited?

CVE-2023-33982 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-2023-33982 affect?

CVE-2023-33982 affects briar. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). Bramble Handshake Protocol (BHP) in Briar before 1.5.3 is not forward secure: eavesdroppers can decrypt network traffic between two accounts if they later compromise both accounts. NOTE: the eavesdropping is typically impractical because BH

How urgent is CVE-2023-33982?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-33983 HIGH 7.4 UPGRADE The Introduction Client in Briar through 1.5.3 does not implement out-of-band verification for the public keys
CVE-2023-33981 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Briar before 1.4.22 allows attackers to spoof other users' messages in a blog, forum, or private group, but ea
CVE-2023-33980 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Bramble Synchronisation Protocol (BSP) in Briar before 1.4.22 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (r

References

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