CVE-2023-28081 Use after free in Hermes

Critical 9.8 Published 18 May 2023 Updated 21 Jan 2025

A use-after-free in the Hermes JavaScript engine allows arbitrary code execution when processing untrusted JavaScript, primarily affecting React Native apps with this specific configuration.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-28081?

CVE-2023-28081 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Facebook Hermes, published on 18 May 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A bytecode optimization bug in Hermes prior to commit e6ed9c1a4b02dc219de1648f44cd808a56171b81 could be used to cause an use-after-free and obtain arbitrary code execution via a carefully crafted payload. Note that this is only exploitable in cases where Hermes is used to execute untrusted JavaScript. Hence, most React Native applications are not affected.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-28081?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Facebook Hermes.

How do I fix CVE-2023-28081?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-28081 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

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-2023-28081 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-28081 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-39xc-f34v-wjpw.