---
title: "CVE-2023-40481\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-40481?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2023-40481

Publication date 3 May 2024

Last updated 4 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-40481?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

7-Zip SquashFS File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution
Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute
arbitrary code on affected installations of 7-Zip. User interaction is
required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a
malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of SQFS files. The issue
results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can
result in a write past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can
leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current
process. Was ZDI-CAN-18589.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7zip | 26.04 LTS resolute | Not affected |
| 25.10 questing | Not affected |
| 25.04 plucky | Not affected |
| 24.10 oracular | Not affected |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Not affected |
| 23.10 mantic | Not affected |
| 23.04 lunar | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Needs evaluation |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not in release |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not in release |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not in release |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.8 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | Required |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-40481)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-40481)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2023-40481)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2023-40481)

### Other references

* <https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1164/>
* <https://sourceforge.net/p/sevenzip/discussion/45797/thread/713c8a8269/>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-40481>