CVE-2023-33221

Code execution via unchecked DESFire key copy

Published Dec 15, 2023 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Heap buffer overflow in IDEMIA biometric terminals allows physically proximate attackers to execute code through a crafted DESFire card. The card-reading function copies received DESFire key data into an internal heap buffer without adequately checking its boundaries. A malicious card must be presented to an affected terminal, and use of the Default DESFire key increases exposure to code execution, data access, or service interruption.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability1.03%
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 IDEMIA biometric terminals allows physically proximate attackers to execute code through a crafted DESFire card. The card-reading function copies received DESFire key data into an internal heap buffer without adequately checking its boundaries. A malicious card must be presented to an affected terminal, and use of the Default DESFire key increases exposure to code execution, data access, or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-33221
Published
Dec 15, 2023
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
IDEMIA
Product
SIGMA Wide
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-122, CAPEC-100, T1200
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 15, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 2024Record 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=0 <4.15.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IDEMIA · SIGMA Wideversion=0 <4.15.5
IDEMIA · SIGMA Extremeversion=0 <4.15.5
IDEMIA · MorphoWave SPversion=0 <1.2.7
IDEMIA · VisionPassversion=0 <2.12.2
IDEMIA · MorphoWave Compact / XPversion=0 <2.12.2

Published CVSS scores

6.8IDEMIACVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CAPEC-100Overflow Buffers
T1200Hardware Additions

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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