CVE-2023-44438

Code execution via unsecured library search path

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Sep 18, 2024

Uncontrolled library search in Ashlar-Vellum Argon before 12.0.1204.78 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted file. While parsing various file types, the process loads a library from an unsecured location rather than a trusted application path. Execution requires the target to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and the payload runs with the current process's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.83%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled library search in Ashlar-Vellum Argon before 12.0.1204.78 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted file. While parsing various file types, the process loads a library from an unsecured location rather than a trusted application path. Execution requires the target to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and the payload runs with the current process's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-44438
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Sep 18, 2024
Vendor
Ashlar-Vellum
Product
Argon
Classifications
CWE-427, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 18, 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 <12.0.1204.78
  2. Affected versionversion=Argon v12 Beta Build 1204.68

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Ashlar-Vellum · Argonversion=0 <12.0.1204.78; version=Argon v12 Beta Build 1204.68

Published CVSS scores

7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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