What is CVE-2023-42448?

CVE-2023-42448 is a high-severity vulnerability in Input-Output-Hk Hydra, classified under Improper Input Validation. CVSS score: 8.1/10. Published 2023-10-04.

How severe is CVE-2023-42448?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.1 out of 10.

Is CVE-2023-42448 known to be exploited?

1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Improper input validation in Input-Output-Hk Hydra

CVE-2023-42448

Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Prior to version 0.13.0, the specification states that the contestation period in the datum of the UTxO at the head validator must stay unchanged as the state progresses from Open to Closed (Close transaction), but no such check appears to be performed in the `checkClose` function of the head validator. This would allow a malicious participant to modify the contestation deadline of the head to either allow them to fanout the head without giving another participant the chance to contest, or prevent any participant from ever redistributing the funds locked in the head via a fan-out. Version 0.13.0 contains a patch for this issue.

Vulnerability class: Drupalgeddon 2 (CVE-2018-7600)

Published 2023-10-04 · last modified 2026-06-17.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 8.1 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.008 (54.3th percentile), scored 2026-09-30.

Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 54th percentile — 54.3% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.008 · newest: 0.008 · change: 0.000

Affected products

Input-Output-Hk Hydra — versions < 0.13.0
Iohk Hydra

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

fkie-cad/nvd-json-data-feeds

References

github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-mgcx-6p7h-5996 (Vendor Advisory)
github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/commit/2f45529729e28254a62f7a7c8d6649066923ed1f (Patch)
github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md (Release Notes)
github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/He… (Product)
github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/He… (Product)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-42448?: CVE-2023-42448 is a high-severity vulnerability in Input-Output-Hk Hydra, classified under Improper Input Validation. CVSS score: 8.1/10. Published 2023-10-04.
How severe is CVE-2023-42448?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.1 out of 10.
Is CVE-2023-42448 known to be exploited?: 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.