CVE-2023-50965
Published: 17 December 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-50965 is a critical-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Starnight Micro Http Server. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 10.1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2023-50965 is a stack-based buffer overflow in MicroHttpServer (also known as Micro HTTP Server) through commit 4398570. The flaw resides in the _ReadStaticFiles function within lib/middleware.c and is triggered by an overly long URI supplied to the server. It is tracked under CWE-787 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can send a crafted HTTP request containing a long URI to trigger the overflow. Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution on the affected server with no user interaction or credentials required.
Public references consist of GitHub issue #5 and the repository commit history for the project, which document the vulnerable code path but do not describe an official patch or mitigation steps.
EPSS for the CVE rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.1195 on 2026-01-13 before receding to the current value of 0.0498, indicating a measurable increase in observed exploitation interest after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-55694
Vulnerability details
In MicroHttpServer (aka Micro HTTP Server) through 4398570, _ReadStaticFiles in lib/middleware.c allows a stack-based buffer overflow and potentially remote code execution via a long URI.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.