Is CVE-2023-40889 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2023-40889 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2023-40889 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2023-40889 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-40889?

CVE-2023-40889 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL).

HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2023-40889

CRITICAL

CVE-2023-40889

CWE-787Published: August 29, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in ZBar version 0.23.90 within the qr_reader_match_centers function. This flaw allows for arbitrary code execution or information disclosure when processing malicious QR codes, resulting in a critical CVSS score of 9.8.

No public exploit is known, and it is not in the CISA KEV. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable through digital or physical QR code scanning.

Recommended Action

Upgrade to the latest version of ZBar. Implement security controls to validate QR code inputs where possible.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-40889 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-787): Out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities can lead to data corruption, crashes, or arbitrary code execution.