CVE-2023-38855
MediumCVSS 6.5Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Elevated risk51th percentile - higher than 51% of all known CVEs
Summary
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxls version 1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the get_string function in xlstool.c:395.
Risk Assessment
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain control over the system or disrupt its operation, potentially leading to serious consequences for the organization.
Recommendation
It is recommended to update libxls to the latest version to mitigate this vulnerability and to monitor systems for suspicious activity related to XLS files.
Other vulnerabilities in libxls
See all- CVE-2017-2919High
A stack based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the xls_getfcell function of libxls 1.3.4. A specially crafted XLS file can cause memory corruption resulting in remote code execution.
- CVE-2017-2897High
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the read_MSAT function of libxls 1.4. A specially crafted XLS file can cause memory corruption leading to remote code execution.
- CVE-2017-2896High
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the xls_mergedCells function of libxls 1.4. A specially crafted XLS file can cause memory corruption leading to remote code execution.
- CVE-2017-12111High
An out-of-bounds vulnerability exists in the xls_addCell function of libxls 1.4. A specially crafted XLS file with a formula record can cause memory corruption leading to remote code execution.
- CVE-2017-12110High
An exploitable integer overflow vulnerability exists in the xls_appendSST function of libxls 1.4. A specially crafted XLS file can cause memory corruption resulting in remote code execution.
- CVE-2026-79592High
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the xls_dumpSummary() function of libxls 1.6.3 due to insufficient validation of file-controlled OLE summary offsets.
- CVE-2026-79591High
A heap-buffer-overflow and use-after-free vulnerability exists in the xls_getCSS() function of libxls 1.6.3 due to insufficient validation of a file-controlled font index.
- CVE-2026-26825Medium
A use-of-uninitialized memory vulnerability exists in libxls 1.6.3 when parsing malformed XLS files. The issue is reachable via xls_parseWorkBook() and is triggered by uninitialized heap memory originating from the OLE layer (ole2_read). The flaw is detectable with MemorySanitizer (MSAN) and can lead to undefined behavior, incorrect parsing logic, or potential information disclosure.
- CVE-2026-26824Medium
libxls through version 1.6.3 contains a use of uninitialized memory vulnerability in the OLE container parser. Memory allocated for the Master Sector Allocation Table (MSAT) in read_MSAT() is not fully initialized before being consumed by ole2_validate_sector_chain(), which may result in application crashes or potential information disclosure when processing a crafted XLS file.
- CVE-2023-38854Medium
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxls version 1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the transcode_latin1_to_utf8 function in xlstool.c:296.
Original NVD description (English source)
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service via a crafted XLS file to the get_string function in xlstool.c:395.
Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS