CVE-2023-4504: Due to failure in validating the length provided by an attacker-crafted PPD PostScript document, CUPS and libp

This month

HIGH 7.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-4504 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting cups, libppd, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Due to failure in validating the length provided by an attacker-crafted PPD PostScript document, CUPS and libppd are susceptible to a heap-based buffer overflow and possibly code execution. This issue has been fixed in CUPS version 2.4.7, released in September of 2023.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-122, CWE-787
Published	2023-09-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Austin Hackers Anonymous · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · openprinting

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-09-21 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openprinting cups UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.4.7

Fixed in: 2.4.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.4.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cups

Note

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

openprinting libppd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0 rc2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libppd sudo apt install libppd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold libppd

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

dnf --showduplicates list libppd sudo dnf downgrade libppd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add libppd

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 37 · 38 · 39

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 37

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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-2023-4504?

cups: upgrade to 2.4.7; libppd: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-4504 being exploited?

CVE-2023-4504 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-2023-4504 affect?

CVE-2023-4504 affects cups, libppd, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). Due to failure in validating the length provided by an attacker-crafted PPD PostScript document, CUPS and libppd are susceptible to a heap-based buffer overflow and possibly code execution. This issue has been fixed in CUPS version 2.4.7, r

How urgent is CVE-2023-4504?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-61702 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE OpenPrinting CUPS is an open source printing system for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems
CVE-2026-39316 MEDIUM 4.0 UPGRADE OpenPrinting CUPS is an open source printing system for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems
CVE-2026-41079 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE OpenPrinting CUPS is an open source printing system for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems
CVE-2026-39314 MEDIUM 4.0 UPGRADE OpenPrinting CUPS is an open source printing system for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems
CVE-2026-107885 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE OpenPrinting CUPS through 2.4.20 contains a resource-exhaustion vulnerability in the submission-timeout handli

References

← Back to latest CVEs