CVE-2023-4809

pf incorrectly handles multiple IPv6 fragment headers

HIGH
7.5
CVSS Score
Published: September 6, 2023 at 07:26 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 06:38 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorFreeBSD

Using FreeBSD by FreeBSD?

Get instant alerts when new vulnerabilities affect FreeBSD - before attackers find them.

Real-time alertsTrack your software stackFree plan available
Severity
HIGH7.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.8%

Description

In pf packet processing with a 'scrub fragment reassemble' rule, a packet containing multiple IPv6 fragment headers would be reassembled, and then immediately processed. That is, a packet with multiple fragment extension headers would not be recognized as the correct ultimate payload. Instead a packet with multiple IPv6 fragment headers would unexpectedly be interpreted as a fragmented packet, rather than as whatever the real payload is. As a result, IPv6 fragments may bypass pf firewall rules written on the assumption all fragments have been reassembled and, as a result, be forwarded or processed by the host.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 12.412.4-RELEASE ≤ v < p513.0 ≤ v < 13.213.2-RELEASE ≤ v < p312.412.4 p112.4 p212.4 p312.4 p412.4 rc2-p112.4 rc2-p212.4-RELEASE13.213.2 p113.2 p213.2-RELEASE
Affected range stops below 12.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 13.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below p3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below p5, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

CVSS

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
NONE
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-167NVD-CWE-Other

Get alerted

Stop reading CVE feeds looking for your own stack

Track the products you run and VulnTracker tells you when a new CVE affects them — with what is known about fixing it, and nothing about the rest.

Free plan, no card