CVE-2023-46118: RabbitMQ is a multi-protocol messaging and streaming broker

Routine

MEDIUM 4.9UPGRADE

CVE-2023-46118 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.9) affecting rabbitmq. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

RabbitMQ is a multi-protocol messaging and streaming broker. HTTP API did not enforce an HTTP request body limit, making it vulnerable for denial of service (DoS) attacks with very large messages. An authenticated user with sufficient credentials can publish a very large messages over the HTTP API and cause target node to be terminated by an "out-of-memory killer"-like mechanism. This vulnerability has been patched in versions 3.11.24 and 3.12.7.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400
Published	2023-10-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: vmware

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-10-25 18:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware rabbitmq UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.11.24 · >= 3.12.0 and < 3.12.7

Fixed in: 3.11.24, 3.12.7

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.12.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.11.24 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rabbitmq

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.12.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rabbitmq sudo apt install rabbitmq=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.12.0> sudo apt-mark hold rabbitmq

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rabbitmq sudo dnf downgrade rabbitmq-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.12.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rabbitmq

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-2023-46118?

rabbitmq: upgrade to 3.11.24, 3.12.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-46118 being exploited?

CVE-2023-46118 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-2023-46118 affect?

CVE-2023-46118 affects rabbitmq. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.9). RabbitMQ is a multi-protocol messaging and streaming broker. HTTP API did not enforce an HTTP request body limit, making it vulnerable for denial of service (DoS) attacks with very large messages. An authenticated user with sufficient crede

How urgent is CVE-2023-46118?

Priority 35/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

VMware vulnerabilities · RabbitMQ vulnerabilities

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References

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