RSEC-2023-1
Double-free and invalid free vulnerabilities
Published Jul 13, 2023 · updated May 19, 2025
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.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Jul 13, 2023 · OSV.dev
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
May 19, 2025 · OSV.dev
Fix available
readxl fixed in 1.3.0
May 19, 2025 · OSV.dev
Fix available
readxl fixed in 1.3.0
May 19, 2025 · OSV.dev
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
Affected
- CRAN readxl0.1.0 → 1.3.0