CVE-2023-44438: Ashlar-Vellum Argon Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

This month

HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-44438 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting argon. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Ashlar-Vellum Argon Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Argon. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of various file types. The process loads a library from an unsec

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-427
Published	2024-05-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Zero Day Initiative · Vendor: ashlar

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-05-03 03:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:27 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ashlar argon DOWNGRADE

Affected: 12.0.1204.68

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.0.1204.68

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.0.1204.68 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison argon sudo apt install argon=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.0.1204.68> sudo apt-mark hold argon

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

dnf --showduplicates list argon sudo dnf downgrade argon-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.0.1204.68> sudo dnf versionlock add argon

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-2023-44438?

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

Is CVE-2023-44438 being exploited?

CVE-2023-44438 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-2023-44438 affect?

CVE-2023-44438 affects argon. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Ashlar-Vellum Argon Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Argon. User interaction is required to

How urgent is CVE-2023-44438?

Priority 45/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-65085 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE A Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability is present in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Coba
CVE-2025-65084 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability is present in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Sha
CVE-2025-65086 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability is present in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Sha
CVE-2025-65087 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability is present in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Shar
CVE-2025-65088 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability is present in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Shar

References

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