CVE-2023-28523

Arbitrary code execution via invalid onsmsync parameters

Published Dec 9, 2023 · Updated May 27, 2025

Heap buffer overflow in onsmsync in IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.10 and 14.10 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The utility applies improper bounds checking to invalid command-line parameters, overflowing a heap buffer. Reachability requires local ability to invoke onsmsync; successful exploitation runs attacker-controlled code with the utility's privileges.

CVSS severity8.4
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap buffer overflow in onsmsync in IBM Informix Dynamic Server 12.10 and 14.10 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The utility applies improper bounds checking to invalid command-line parameters, overflowing a heap buffer. Reachability requires local ability to invoke onsmsync; successful exploitation runs attacker-controlled code with the utility's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28523
Published
Dec 9, 2023
Updated
May 27, 2025
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Informix Dynamic Server
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-122, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 27, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=12.10, 14.10

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Informix Dynamic Serverversion=12.10, 14.10

Published CVSS scores

8.4IBM CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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