# CVE-2023-34237: Remote code execution via specially crafted script settings in SABnzbd

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code via crafted notification script parameters if the web interface is exposed without authentication.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/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:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 7 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2023-34237, GHSA-hhgh-xgh3-985r, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-34237

## What is CVE-2023-34237?

CVE-2023-34237 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in sabnzbd, published on 7 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

SABnzbd is an open source automated Usenet download tool. A design flaw was discovered in SABnzbd that could allow remote code execution. Manipulating the Parameters setting in the Notification Script functionality allows code execution with the privileges of the SABnzbd process. Exploiting the vulnerabilities requires access to the web interface. Remote exploitation is possible if users[exposed their setup to the internet or other untrusted networks without setting a username/password. By default SABnzbd is only accessible from `localhost`, with no authentication required for the web interface. This issue has been patched in commits `e3a722` and `422b4f` which have been included in the 4.0.2 release. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade should ensure that a username and password have been set if their instance is web accessible.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-34237?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Sabnzbd Sabnzbd.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-34237?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2023-34237 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-34237 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in sabnzbd

- [CVE-2020-13124](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-13124/): Command injection in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2021-29488](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-29488/): Creation of files outside the Download Folder through malicious PAR2 files (medium 4.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-34237 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-34237 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in sabnzbd, published on 7 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-34237 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: sabnzbd. 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-2023-34237/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34237/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-34237
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34237
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-34237

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34237/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.