CVE-2023-51889Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via unchecked stack append

Published Jan 24, 2024 · Updated Jun 16, 2025

Stack buffer overflow in Mathtex 1.05 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted CGI URL. The validate() function uses strcat to append attacker-controlled input into its 2,048-byte display stack buffer without enforcing the destination length. The CGI endpoint requires no authentication; the resulting overwrite executes code in the server process, and the published reproducer also demonstrates a crash.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack buffer overflow in Mathtex 1.05 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted CGI URL. The validate() function uses strcat to append attacker-controlled input into its 2,048-byte display stack buffer without enforcing the destination length. The CGI endpoint requires no authentication; the resulting overwrite executes code in the server process, and the published reproducer also demonstrates a crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-51889
Published
Jan 24, 2024
Updated
Jun 16, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 24, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 16, 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 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

9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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