CVE-2023-38470: A vulnerability was found in Avahi

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-38470?

avahi: upgrade to 0.9; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-38470 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38470 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-2023-38470 affect?

CVE-2023-38470 affects avahi, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). A vulnerability was found in Avahi. A reachable assertion exists in the avahi_escape_label() function.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-38470?

Priority 33/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 6.2WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-38470 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.2) affecting avahi, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A vulnerability was found in Avahi. A reachable assertion exists in the avahi_escape_label() function.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.2 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 75%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-617
Published	2023-11-02
Last modified	2026-10-28

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: avahi · redhat

Last updated 2026-10-28 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-11-02 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-28 17:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

avahi avahi UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.9

Fixed in: 0.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 0.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade avahi

Note

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

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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 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-2023-38470?

avahi: upgrade to 0.9; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-38470 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38470 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-2023-38470 affect?

CVE-2023-38470 affects avahi, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.2). A vulnerability was found in Avahi. A reachable assertion exists in the avahi_escape_label() function.

How urgent is CVE-2023-38470?

Priority 33/100. On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-38473 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was found in Avahi
CVE-2023-38472 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was found in Avahi
CVE-2023-38471 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was found in Avahi
CVE-2023-38469 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was found in Avahi, where a reachable assertion exists in avahi_dns_packet_append_record.
CVE-2025-59529 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE Avahi is a system which facilitates service discovery on a local network via the mDNS/DNS-SD protocol suite

References

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