CVE-2023-53937: Hubstaff 1.6.13 and 1.6.14 contain a DLL search order hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to replace

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-53937 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting hubstaff. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Hubstaff 1.6.13 and 1.6.14 contain a DLL search order hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to replace a missing system32 wow64log.dll with a malicious library. Attackers can generate a custom DLL using Metasploit and place it in the system32 directory to obtain a reverse shell during application startup.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 87%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-427
Published	2025-12-18
Last modified	2026-10-29

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: hubstaff

Last updated 2026-10-29 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-12-18 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-29 21:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hubstaff hubstaff DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6.13 · 1.6.14

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6.13

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hubstaff sudo apt install hubstaff=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.13> sudo apt-mark hold hubstaff

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

dnf --showduplicates list hubstaff sudo dnf downgrade hubstaff-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.13> sudo dnf versionlock add hubstaff

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-2023-53937?

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

Is CVE-2023-53937 being exploited?

CVE-2023-53937 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-2023-53937 affect?

CVE-2023-53937 affects hubstaff. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Hubstaff 1.6.13 and 1.6.14 contain a DLL search order hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to replace a missing system32 wow64log.dll with a malicious library. Attackers can generate a custom DLL using Metasploit and place it in th

How urgent is CVE-2023-53937?

Priority 36/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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