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🛡️ CVE-2023-3823 — debian-linux

🟠 CVSS 8.6 — High ⚠️ Exploit Public CWE-611 NVD
8.6
CVSS Score
0 Low4 Medium7 High9 Critical10

Description

Security issue with external entity loading in XML without enabling it

In PHP versions 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8 various XML functions rely on libxml global state to track configuration variables, like whether external entities are loaded. This state is assumed to be unchanged unless the user explicitly changes it by calling appropriate function. However, since the state is process-global, other modules - such as ImageMagick - may also use this library within the same process, and change that global state for their internal purposes, and leave it in a state where external entities loading is enabled. This can lead to the situation where external XML is parsed with external entities loaded, which can lead to disclosure of any local files accessible to PHP. This vulnerable state may persist in the same process across many requests, until the process is shut down.

How this vulnerability can be exploited

This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs no privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality high, integrity low, availability low.

CVSS metrics in full

The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L

  • Attack vector: Network — reachable from anywhere that can route to the service.
  • Attack complexity: Low — the attack works reliably, with no preparation.
  • Privileges required: None — an unauthenticated stranger can try it.
  • User interaction: None — nobody has to be tricked into anything.
  • Scope: Unchanged — the damage stays inside the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High — total loss, or loss the attacker controls.
  • Integrity impact: Low — limited, and the attacker does not choose what is affected.
  • Availability impact: Low — limited, and the attacker does not choose what is affected.

Weakness class

CVE-2023-3823 is classified as CWE-611: XML External Entity Reference (XXE). An XML parser resolves external entities, letting a crafted document read local files or reach internal services.

Affected software

CVE-2023-3823 is recorded against 5 packages.

  • debian-linux
  • fedora
  • libphp
  • php
  • php-min

Timeline and source

Published on 11 August 2023 and last revised on 17 June 2026. A public exploit is known to exist, which raises the urgency of patching considerably. Record sourced from NVD.

References

github.com
lists.debian.org
lists.fedoraproject.org
security.netapp.com
github.com
lists.debian.org
lists.fedoraproject.org
security.netapp.com

Other advisories for this package

debian-linux has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:

Same weakness in other software

These advisories are the same class of weakness (CWE-611: XML External Entity Reference (XXE)) in other software:

CVE-2023-3823 on other distributions

Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:

Details

Severity HIGH
CVSS Score 8.6
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
CWE CWE-611
Public Exploit ⚠️ Yes
Source NVD
Published 2023-08-11
Updated 2026-08-20
Modified 2026-06-17
Fix URL N/A

Affected Packages

Software From version Fixed in
debian-linux — —
fedora — —
libphp — —
php — —
php-min — —

Similar Threats

Exploit Protection

Are you running debian-linux?

CVE-2023-3823 carries CVSS 8.6 High rating and a public exploit already exists. BotEraser checks your installation against this and other known CVE records, and blocks IPs associated with exploit activity.

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ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.

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