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zbar — security advisory

Type: advisorySources: OSVAdvisory ID: UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.

Products
zbar
Affected versions
0.10+doc-10.1build2, 0.10+doc-10build1, 0.10+doc-10build2, 0.10+doc-10ubuntu1, 0.10+doc-9, 0.10+doc-9build1, 0.23-1.1, 0.23-1.2, 0.23-1.3, 0.23.90-1, 0.23.92-4, 0.23.92-4build2, 0.23.93-7, 0.23.93-8, 0.23.93-9ubuntu1, 0.23.93-9ubuntu2
Fixed versions
0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1, 0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1, 0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1
CVEs
CVE-2023-40889
Confirmed fixed CVEs
Not specified
Updated in this feed
31 Oct 2026, 01:05 UTC · Revision 1

Source evidence

UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889

core-osv · Original source

Published 29 Aug 2023, 17:15 UTC

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.

osv:UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889

zbar

Fixed versions: Not specified

zbar

Fixed versions: 0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1

zbar

Fixed versions: 0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1

zbar

Fixed versions: 0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1

zbar

Fixed versions: 0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1

zbar

Fixed versions: Not specified

zbar

Fixed versions: Not specified

zbar

Fixed versions: Not specified

Complete source record
{
  "id": "2960a61f9bdfcba5f6e5f2480e9b7b09cc0399433343b0863d97749077e2769a",
  "url": "https://osv.dev/vulnerability/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889",
  "method": "structured",
  "payload": {
    "kind": "advisory",
    "title": "UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889",
    "summary": "A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr_reader_match_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90. Specially crafted QR codes may lead to information disclosure and/or arbitrary code execution. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can digitally input the malicious QR code, or prepare it to be physically scanned by the vulnerable scanner.",
    "evidence": "osv:UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889",
    "products": [
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/0/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-9",
            "evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-9build1",
            "evidence": "/affected/0/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/1/package/name"
        },
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          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1",
            "evidence": "/affected/1/ranges"
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        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10build1",
            "evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10build2",
            "evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1",
            "evidence": "/affected/1/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/2/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "evidence": "/affected/2/ranges"
          }
        ],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.10+doc-10.1build2",
            "evidence": "/affected/2/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/3/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "evidence": "/affected/3/ranges"
          }
        ],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23-1.1",
            "evidence": "/affected/3/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23-1.2",
            "evidence": "/affected/3/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23-1.3",
            "evidence": "/affected/3/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/4/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "evidence": "/affected/4/ranges"
          }
        ],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23.90-1",
            "evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23.92-4",
            "evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23.92-4build2",
            "evidence": "/affected/4/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/5/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-7",
            "evidence": "/affected/5/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-8",
            "evidence": "/affected/5/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/6/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1",
            "evidence": "/affected/6/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2",
            "evidence": "/affected/6/versions"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": {
          "value": "zbar",
          "evidence": "/affected/7/package/name"
        },
        "prerequisites": [],
        "fixed_versions": [],
        "affected_versions": [
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-8",
            "evidence": "/affected/7/versions"
          },
          {
            "value": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1",
            "evidence": "/affected/7/versions"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "severity": "critical",
    "structured": {
      "id": "UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889",
      "aliases": [
        "UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889"
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "type": "CVSS_V3",
          "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
        },
        {
          "type": "Ubuntu",
          "score": "medium"
        }
      ],
      "affected": [
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=trusty",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:14.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.10+doc-9",
            "0.10+doc-9build1"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbarpygtk",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-9build1"
              }
            ]
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                },
                {
                  "fixed": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=esm-apps%2Fxenial",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.10+doc-10build1",
            "0.10+doc-10build2",
            "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbarpygtk",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10ubuntu1+esm1"
              }
            ],
            "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro: https://ubuntu.com/pro"
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                },
                {
                  "fixed": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=esm-apps%2Fbionic",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.10+doc-10.1build2"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python-zbarpygtk",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.10+doc-10.1ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              }
            ],
            "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro: https://ubuntu.com/pro"
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                },
                {
                  "fixed": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=esm-apps%2Ffocal",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.23-1.1",
            "0.23-1.2",
            "0.23-1.3"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python3-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-gtk",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-qt",
                "binary_version": "0.23-1.3ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              }
            ],
            "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro: https://ubuntu.com/pro"
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                },
                {
                  "fixed": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=esm-apps%2Fjammy",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:Pro:22.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.23.90-1",
            "0.23.92-4",
            "0.23.92-4build2"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python3-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-gtk",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-qt",
                "binary_version": "0.23.92-4ubuntu0.1~esm1"
              }
            ],
            "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro: https://ubuntu.com/pro"
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=questing",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:25.10"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.23.93-7",
            "0.23.93-8"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "gir1.2-zbar-1.0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python3-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-gtk",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-qt",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-8"
              }
            ]
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=stonking",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:26.10"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.23.93-9ubuntu1",
            "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "gir1.2-zbar-1.0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python3-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-gtk",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-qt",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu2"
              }
            ]
          }
        },
        {
          "ranges": [
            {
              "type": "ECOSYSTEM",
              "events": [
                {
                  "introduced": "0"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "package": {
            "name": "zbar",
            "purl": "pkg:deb/ubuntu/zbar?arch=source&distro=resolute",
            "ecosystem": "Ubuntu:26.04:LTS"
          },
          "versions": [
            "0.23.93-8",
            "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
          ],
          "database_specific": {
            "source": "https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2023/UBUNTU-CVE-2023-40889.json"
          },
          "ecosystem_specific": {
            "binaries": [
              {
                "binary_name": "gir1.2-zbar-1.0",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libbarcode-zbar-perl",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbar0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbargtk0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "libzbarqt0t64",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "python3-zbar",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbar-tools",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-gtk",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              },
              {
                "binary_name": "zbarcam-qt",
                "binary_version": "0.23.93-9ubuntu1"
              }
            ]
          }
        }
      ],
      "modified": "2026-10-17T12:56:25.824345921Z",
      "provider": "osv",
      "upstream": [
        "CVE-2023-40889"
      ],
      "references": [
        "https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-40889",
        "https://hackmd.io/@cspl/B1ZkFZv23",
        "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-40889",
        "https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7118-1"
      ]
    },
    "related_cves": [
      {
        "value": "CVE-2023-40889",
        "evidence": "/upstream"
      }
    ],
    "security_relevant": true,
    "severity_evidence": "/severity/0/score"
  },
  "source_id": "core-osv",
  "document_id": 355638,
  "published_at": "2023-08-29T17:15:00+00:00"
}