CVE-2023-5978 Incorrect libcap_net limitation list manipulation

High 7.5 Published 8 Nov 2023 Updated 13 Feb 2025

An attacker can bypass libcap_net restrictions to resolve previously blocked domain names in FreeBSD.

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-2023-5978?

CVE-2023-5978 is a high-severity vulnerability in Freebsd Freebsd, published on 8 Nov 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In versions of FreeBSD 13-RELEASE before 13-RELEASE-p5, under certain circumstances the cap_net libcasper(3) service incorrectly validates that updated constraints are strictly subsets of the active constraints. When only a list of resolvable domain names was specified without setting any other limitations, an application could submit a new list of domains including include entries not previously listed. This could permit the application to resolve domain names that were previously restricted.

Weakness: CWE-269

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-5978?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Freebsd Freebsd.

How do I fix CVE-2023-5978?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-5978 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2023-5978 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-5978 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Freebsd Freebsd vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-v58r-qqjm-f9wh.