CVE-2023-51596: BlueZ Phone Book Access Profile Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

This month

HIGH 7.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-51596 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting bluez. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

BlueZ Phone Book Access Profile Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of BlueZ. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must connect to a malicious Bluetooth device. The specific flaw exists within the handling of the Phone Book Access profile. The issue results from the lack of

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 26%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-122
Published	2024-05-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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 03:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bluez bluez DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.66

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.66

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.66 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison bluez sudo apt install bluez=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.66> sudo apt-mark hold bluez

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

dnf --showduplicates list bluez sudo dnf downgrade bluez-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.66> sudo dnf versionlock add bluez

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-2023-51596?

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

Is CVE-2023-51596 being exploited?

CVE-2023-51596 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-2023-51596 affect?

CVE-2023-51596 affects bluez. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). BlueZ Phone Book Access Profile Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of BlueZ. User interaction is required

How urgent is CVE-2023-51596?

Priority 43/100. High severity

Software pages

Bluetooth vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-8805 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE BlueZ HID over GATT Profile Improper Access Control Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2023-51594 MEDIUM 5.7 DOWNGRADE BlueZ OBEX Library Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability
CVE-2023-51592 MEDIUM 5.7 DOWNGRADE BlueZ Audio Profile AVRCP parse_media_folder Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability
CVE-2023-51589 MEDIUM 5.7 DOWNGRADE BlueZ Audio Profile AVRCP parse_media_element Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability
CVE-2023-51580 MEDIUM 5.7 DOWNGRADE BlueZ Audio Profile AVRCP avrcp_parse_attribute_list Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability

References

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