CVE-2023-38961Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via parser heap-buffer overflow

Published Aug 21, 2023 · Updated Oct 7, 2024

A heap-buffer overflow in JerryScript 3.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying malformed JavaScript. In scanner_is_context_needed, the parser reads one byte past a 14-byte heap allocation while processing malformed import syntax, causing an AddressSanitizer abort at js-scanner-util.c line 2101. Exploitation requires an application to parse attacker-controlled JavaScript; the published test demonstrates a crash, while the CVE record states arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A heap-buffer overflow in JerryScript 3.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying malformed JavaScript. In scanner_is_context_needed, the parser reads one byte past a 14-byte heap allocation while processing malformed import syntax, causing an AddressSanitizer abort at js-scanner-util.c line 2101. Exploitation requires an application to parse attacker-controlled JavaScript; the published test demonstrates a crash, while the CVE record states arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38961
Published
Aug 21, 2023
Updated
Oct 7, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 21, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 7, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write

Public exploit references

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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