CVE-2023-26463 Use after free in n/a

Critical 9.8 Published 14 Apr 2023 Updated 13 Feb 2025

Remote attackers can execute code on strongSwan servers by exploiting a use-after-free vulnerability during EAP-TLS authentication if specific plugins are enabled.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2023-26463?

CVE-2023-26463 is a critical use after free vulnerability in n/a, published on 14 Apr 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

strongSwan 5.9.8 and 5.9.9 potentially allows remote code execution because it uses a variable named "public" for two different purposes within the same function. There is initially incorrect access control, later followed by an expired pointer dereference. One attack vector is sending an untrusted client certificate during EAP-TLS. A server is affected only if it loads plugins that implement TLS-based EAP methods (EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP, or EAP-TNC). This is fixed in 5.9.10.

Weakness: CWE-476, CWE-295

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-26463?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (1)

strongswan openSUSE:Tumbleweed All versions 5.9.10-1.1

Products include Strongswan Strongswan.

How do I fix CVE-2023-26463?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2023-26463 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-26463 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2023-26463, AZL-26300, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-26463, GHSA-vcx9-7pcc-q8c7, openSUSE-SU-2024:12749-1.