CVE-2023-38850: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Michaelrsweet codedoc v.3.7 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service v

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-38850 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting codedoc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Michaelrsweet codedoc v.3.7 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service via the codedoc.c:1742 comppnent.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 81%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2023-08-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: msweet

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-15 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

msweet codedoc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.7

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison codedoc sudo apt install codedoc=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo apt-mark hold codedoc

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

dnf --showduplicates list codedoc sudo dnf downgrade codedoc-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7> sudo dnf versionlock add codedoc

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-2023-38850?

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

Is CVE-2023-38850 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38850 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-2023-38850 affect?

CVE-2023-38850 affects codedoc. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Michaelrsweet codedoc v.3.7 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service via the codedoc.c:1742 comppnent.

How urgent is CVE-2023-38850?

Priority 29/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-13362 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Codedoc v3.2 has a stack-based buffer overflow in add_variable in codedoc.c, related to codedoc_strlcpy.

References

← Back to latest CVEs