# CVE-2023-45849: Arbitrary Code Execution in Helix Core

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges in Helix Core, requiring an upgrade to the latest version.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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:** No
- **Published:** 8 Nov 2023
- **Updated:** 2 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9rcv-5p26-mp8g

## What is CVE-2023-45849?

CVE-2023-45849 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Helix Core, published on 8 Nov 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An arbitrary code execution which results in privilege escalation was discovered in Helix Core versions prior to 2023.2.  Reported by Jason Geffner.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-45849?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Perforce Helix Core.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-45849?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-45849 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-45849 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-45849 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Helix Core

- [CVE-2023-35767](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35767/): Unauthenticated Remote Denial-of-Service via Shutdown Function in Helix Core (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2023-45319](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45319/): Unauthenticated Remote Denial-of-Service (Commit) in Helix Core (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2023-5759](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-5759/): Unauthenticated Remote Denial-of-Service via Buffer in Helix Core (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-45849 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-45849 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Helix Core, published on 8 Nov 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-2023-45849 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Helix Core. 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-2023-45849/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45849/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-45849
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45849
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-45849

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45849/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.