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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · RSEC-2023-1

Double-free and invalid free vulnerabilities

Published Jul 13, 2023 · catalog updated May 19, 2025 · Double-free and invalid free

Open the advisory

Exploitation likelihood is not on this record for RSEC-2023-1. A missing EPSS score is not a low risk. Compare Double-free and invalid free with the linked advisory before you change production.

Gaps on this record

  • The stored product name is a package slug. The name on this page is taken from the title (Double-free and invalid free).
  • No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.
  • EPSS is missing. A missing score is not a low risk.
Severity
Unknown—
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
Awaiting synchronization with FIRST
Remediation
Advisory link
Affected products
CRAN readxl

The readxl R package has been found susceptible to vulnerabilities due to its dependency on libxls library version 1.4.0. Two distinct memory management issues were discovered in the read_MSAT and read_MSAT_body functions within the ole.c component of libxls. The first vulnerability is a double-free flaw in the read_MSAT function, which could be exploited by an attacker using a crafted file to cause a Denial of Service (DoS), resulting in an application crash. This vulnerability is different from CVE-2017-2897. The second vulnerability is an invalid free flaw in the read_MSAT_body function. This issue, stemming from inconsistent memory management in the ole2_read_header function, allows attackers to trigger a DoS, application crash, or possibly an unspecified impact through a specially crafted file.

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

  • CRAN readxl0.1.0 → 1.3.0

How to fix RSEC-2023-1

  • Recommended remediation

    A patch or advisory reference is linked. Open the original publisher for availability by product version.

  • Official advisories

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Should you patch?

Exploitation likelihood is not on this record for RSEC-2023-1. A missing EPSS score is not a low risk. Compare Double-free and invalid free with the linked advisory before you change production.

Which versions are affected?

Compare what you have installed with 0.1.0 → 1.3.0. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.

What should an analyst verify?

No weakness class is stored. EPSS is not on this record yet. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Jul 13, 2023 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Detected

    The readxl R package has been found susceptible to vulnerabilities due to its dependency on libxls library version 1.4.0. Two distinct memory management issues were discovered in the read_MSAT and read_MSAT_body functions within the ole.c component of libxls. The first vulnerability is a double-free flaw in the read_MSAT function, which could be exploited by an attacker using a crafted file to cau

  2. May 19, 2025 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Fix available

    readxl fixed in 1.3.0

  3. May 19, 2025 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Fix available

    readxl fixed in 1.3.0

  4. May 19, 2025 · OpenSSF OSV / OSV Scanner

    Updated

    The readxl R package has been found susceptible to vulnerabilities due to its dependency on libxls library version 1.4.0. Two distinct memory management issues were discovered in the read_MSAT and read_MSAT_body functions within the ole.c component of libxls. The first vulnerability is a double-free flaw in the read_MSAT function, which could be exploited by an attacker using a crafted file to cau

Sources

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog May 19, 2025. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.