---
id: CVE-2023-46850
title: >-
  Use after free in OpenVPN version 2.6.0 to 2.6.6 may lead to undefined
  behavoir, leaking memory buffers or remote execution when sending network
  buffers to a remote peer.
summary: >-
  Use after free in OpenVPN version 2.6.0 to 2.6.6 may lead to undefined
  behavoir, leaking memory buffers or remote execution when sending network
  buffers to a remote peer.
severity: critical
cvss: 9.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-416
  - CWE-416
vendor: openvpn
product: openvpn
affected:
  - 'openvpn >= 2.6.0, <= 2.6.6'
  - 'openvpn_access_server >= 2.11.0, <= 2.11.3'
  - 'openvpn_access_server >= 2.12.0, < 2.12.2'
  - debian_linux = 12.0
  - fedora = 39
patched:
  - openvpn_access_server 2.12.2
published: '2023-11-11'
updated: '2026-06-23'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46850'
references:
  - url: 'https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/CVE-2023-46850'
    label: security@openvpn.net
  - url: >-
      https://openvpn.net/security-advisory/access-server-security-update-cve-2023-46849-cve-2023-46850/
    label: security@openvpn.net
  - url: 'https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/CVE-2023-46850'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/L3FS46ANNTAVLIQY56ZKGM5CBTRVBUNE/
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/O54I7D753V6PU6XBU26FEROD2DSHEJQ4/
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://openvpn.net/security-advisory/access-server-security-update-cve-2023-46849-cve-2023-46850/
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5555'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.01999
epssPercentile: 0.7984
ingestedAt: '2026-06-29T13:24:33.924Z'
---

## Overview

Use after free in OpenVPN version 2.6.0 to 2.6.6 may lead to undefined behavoir, leaking memory buffers or remote execution when sending network buffers to a remote peer.

## Affected

- `openvpn >= 2.6.0, <= 2.6.6`
- `openvpn_access_server >= 2.11.0, <= 2.11.3`
- `openvpn_access_server >= 2.12.0, < 2.12.2`
- `debian_linux = 12.0`
- `fedora = 39`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `openvpn_access_server 2.12.2`