# CVE-2017-2923: Memory corruption in FreeXL

> A heap-based buffer overflow in FreeXL allows remote code execution via a specially crafted XLS file.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 24 Apr 2018
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-2923, GHSA-3wq9-hv2f-46q4, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-2923

## What is CVE-2017-2923?

CVE-2017-2923 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 24 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

An exploitable heap based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the 'read_biff_next_record function' of FreeXL 1.0.3. A specially crafted XLS file can cause a memory corruption resulting in remote code execution. An attacker can send malicious XLS file to trigger this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-2923?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Debian Debian Linux, Freexl Project Freexl.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-2923?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2017-2923 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-2923 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-2923 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-2923 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 24 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-2923 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-2923/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-2923/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-2923
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-2923
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-2923

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-2923/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.