CVE-2023-40591

Name: CVE-2023-40591
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-09-06T19:15:44.1+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 0.98%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-40591 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. go-ethereum (geth) is a golang execution layer implementation of the Ethereum protocol. A vulnerable node, can be made to consume unbounded amounts of memory when handling specially crafted p2p messages sent from an attacker node. EPSS estimates a 0.98% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

go-ethereum (geth) is a golang execution layer implementation of the Ethereum protocol. A vulnerable node, can be made to consume unbounded amounts of memory when handling specially crafted p2p messages sent from an attacker node. The fix is included in geth version `1.12.1-stable`, i.e, `1.12.2-unstable` and onwards. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.98%

57.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-400

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Ethereum	Go Ethereum	>= 1.10.0, < 1.12.1

References

https://geth.ethereum.org/docs/developers/geth-developer/disclosuresProduct
https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.12.1Release Notes
https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/security/advisories/GHSA-ppjg-v974-84cmThird Party Advisory
https://geth.ethereum.org/docs/developers/geth-developer/disclosuresProduct
https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.12.1Release Notes
https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/security/advisories/GHSA-ppjg-v974-84cmThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 6, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-40591?

How severe is CVE-2023-40591?

CVE-2023-40591 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-40591?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-40591?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST