CVE-2023-51714 is a critical vulnerability affecting the HTTP2 implementation in Qt, with a CVSS score of 9.8. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit an incorrect HPack integer overflow check found in the source file network/access/http2/hpacktable.cpp. The impact is severe, with risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability impacts various versions of Qt, specifically before version 5.15.17, 6.x before 6.2.11, 6.3.x through 6.5.x before 6.5.4, and 6.6.x before 6.6.2.
Organizations that utilize affected versions of Debian or Qt should assess their exposure to this vulnerability. The nature of the flaw presents a risk of exploitation over the network, making it imperative for organizations to prioritize patching. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt service availability.
The urgency for defenders cannot be overstated, as the potential impact on affected systems is critical. Organizations are advised to implement the necessary patches as soon as they are available to mitigate risks associated with potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to monitor for any updates or advisories from both Debian and Qt regarding this issue.
Vulnerability Details
An issue was discovered in the HTTP2 implementation in Qt before 5.15.17, 6.x before 6.2.11, 6.3.x through 6.5.x before 6.5.4, and 6.6.x before 6.6.2. The specific flaw occurs in the HPack integer overflow check within the file network/access/http2/hpacktable.cpp. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-190, which pertains to integer overflow.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level, with the following vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. Additionally, no user interaction is necessary for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of HPack integer values during the processing of HTTP2 requests. Specifically, the lack of adequate checks for integer overflow can lead to unexpected behavior, allowing an attacker to manipulate the flow of data. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no prior access to the system.
The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can easily exploit this vulnerability without significant effort. No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not needed, increasing the risk of automated attacks. The impacts can lead to a complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected applications.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2023-51714 is substantial, especially for organizations that rely on the affected versions of Debian and Qt. The potential blast radius includes any application utilizing the vulnerable HTTP2 implementation, which could lead to widespread data breaches or service disruptions.
As the vulnerability is classified as critical, organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. Immediate action is necessary to mitigate the risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where sensitive data is processed or stored.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by CVE-2023-51714: Qt before 5.15.17, 6.x before 6.2.11, 6.3.x through 6.5.x before 6.5.4, and 6.6.x before 6.6.2. Additionally, Debian Linux version 10.0 is also vulnerable. If version information is missing, organizations should assume all versions prior to the vendor patch are affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2023-51714, organizations should immediately update to the patched versions of Qt and Debian. The specific updates include Qt versions 5.15.17 or later, 6.2.11 or later, 6.5.4 or later, and 6.6.2 or later. If patches are not yet available, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to mitigate exposure. Regular monitoring and auditing of systems for compliance with these updates is advised.
Organizations should validate remediation effectiveness through continuous penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators related to HTTP2 requests that may exploit this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies in application responses could also indicate attempts to manipulate HPack values. Additionally, implementing network signatures that identify malformed HTTP2 packets can aid in detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-51714 represents a significant risk in the context of network vulnerabilities. The low attack complexity and lack of required privileges make this a critical issue for organizations using affected software. The lessons learned from this incident should emphasize the importance of regular patch management and vulnerability assessments.
Organizations should ensure that their security practices include vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
In addition, organizations are encouraged to adopt penetration testing methodologies to comprehensively assess their security posture.
Strategic insights from vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-51714 should inform future security strategies and threat modeling efforts.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

.webp)