CVE-2023-50428: In Bitcoin Core through 26.0 and Bitcoin Knots before 25.1.knots20231115, datacarrier size limits can be bypas

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-50428 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting bitcoin core, bitcoin knots. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Bitcoin Core through 26.0 and Bitcoin Knots before 25.1.knots20231115, datacarrier size limits can be bypassed by obfuscating data as code (e.g., with OP_FALSE OP_IF), as exploited in the wild by Inscriptions in 2022 and 2023. NOTE: although this is a vulnerability from the perspective of the Bitcoin Knots project, some others consider it "not a bug."

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 44%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2023-12-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bitcoin · bitcoinknots

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-12-09 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bitcoin bitcoin core UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.9 and <= 26.0

Fixed in: newer than 26.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy bitcoin-core || rpm -q bitcoin-core || bitcoin-core --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 26.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade bitcoin-core

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade bitcoin-core

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 0.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison bitcoin-core sudo apt install bitcoin-core=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9> sudo apt-mark hold bitcoin-core

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

dnf --showduplicates list bitcoin-core sudo dnf downgrade bitcoin-core-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9> sudo dnf versionlock add bitcoin-core

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.

bitcoinknots bitcoin knots UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.9 and < 25.1

Fixed in: 25.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy bitcoin-knots || rpm -q bitcoin-knots || bitcoin-knots --version

2. UPGRADE to 25.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade bitcoin-knots

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade bitcoin-knots

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 0.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison bitcoin-knots sudo apt install bitcoin-knots=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9> sudo apt-mark hold bitcoin-knots

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

dnf --showduplicates list bitcoin-knots sudo dnf downgrade bitcoin-knots-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9> sudo dnf versionlock add bitcoin-knots

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-2023-50428?

bitcoin core: upgrade to newer than 26.0; bitcoin knots: upgrade to 25.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-50428 being exploited?

CVE-2023-50428 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-2023-50428 affect?

CVE-2023-50428 affects bitcoin core, bitcoin knots. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). In Bitcoin Core through 26.0 and Bitcoin Knots before 25.1.knots20231115, datacarrier size limits can be bypassed by obfuscating data as code (e.g., with OP_FALSE OP_IF), as exploited in the wild by Inscriptions in 2022 and 2023. NOTE: alth

How urgent is CVE-2023-50428?

Priority 38/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-54605 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Bitcoin Core through 29.0 allows Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (issue 2 of 2).
CVE-2025-54604 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Bitcoin Core through 29.0 allows Uncontrolled Resource Consumption (issue 1 of 2).
CVE-2025-46598 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE Bitcoin Core through 29.0 allows a denial of service via a crafted transaction.
CVE-2025-46597 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Bitcoin Core 0.13.0 through 29.x has an integer overflow.
CVE-2024-55563 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE Bitcoin Core through 27.2 allows transaction-relay jamming via an off-chain protocol attack, a related issue t

References

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