CVE-2023-43787

Local code execution via XCreateImage overflow

Published Oct 10, 2023 · Updated Nov 6, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in X.Org libX11 before 1.8.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via crafted XPM image input. XCreateImage multiplies caller-supplied width by bits_per_pixel without overflow validation, allocates a buffer that is too small, and then copies image data into it. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction through an application that loads the malicious image; successful corruption can provide code execution with elevated privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in X.Org libX11 before 1.8.7 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via crafted XPM image input. XCreateImage multiplies caller-supplied width by bits_per_pixel without overflow validation, allocates a buffer that is too small, and then copies image data into it. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction through an application that loads the malicious image; successful corruption can provide code execution with elevated privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-43787
Published
Oct 10, 2023
Updated
Nov 6, 2025
Vendor
Red Hat
Product
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Classifications
CWE-122, T1203, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 6, 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?

Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8Affected versions are unavailable in this record.
X.Org · libX11version=0 <1.8.7
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9Affected versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8Red Hat CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.9Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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