CVE-2023-5981: Software Security Vulnerability Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2023-5981 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.4) security vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-203: Observable Discrepancy) affecting Software libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The weakness occurs when the product behaves differently or sends different responses under different circumstances in a way that is observable to an unauthorized actor.. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.
CVE-2023-5981 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.4
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2023-5981
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Software dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:treeHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-5981, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:treeAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Software in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-203: Observable Discrepancy, where the product behaves differently or sends different responses under different circumstances in a way that is observable to an unauthorized actor. In Software, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2023-5981?
Which Software versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2023-5981?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-5981?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-5981?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-5981?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-jvj3-gqjm-cg8p",
"modified" : "2026-10-15T00:30:43Z",
"published" : "2023-11-28T12:31:25Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-5981" ],
"details" : "A vulnerability was found that the response times to malformed ciphertexts in RSA-PSK ClientKeyExchange differ from response times of ciphertexts with correct PKCS#1 v1.5 padding.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5981"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0155"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0319"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0399"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0451"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0533"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:1383"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:2094"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-5981"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2248445"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://gnutls.org/security-new.html#GNUTLS-SA-2023-10-23"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/11/msg00016.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7ZEIOLORQ7N6WRPFXZSYDL2MC4LP7VFV"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GNXKVR5YNUEBNHAHM5GSYKBZX4W2HMN2"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/19/3"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-203", "CWE-208" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : false,
"github_reviewed_at" : null,
"nvd_published_at" : "2023-11-28T12:15:07Z"
}
}