CVE-2023-46247

incorrect storage layout for contracts containing large arrays

contracts containing large arrays might underallocate the number of slots they need. prior to v0.3.8, the calculation to determine how many slots a storage variable needed used math.ceil(type_.size_in_bytes / 32):

https://github.com/vyperlang/vyper/blob/6020b8bbf66b062d299d87bc7e4eddc4c9d1c157/vyper/semantics/validation/data_positions.py#L197

the intermediate floating point step can produce a rounding error if there are enough bits set in the IEEE-754 mantissa. roughly speaking, if type_.size_in_bytes is large (> 2**46), and slightly less than a power of 2, the calculation can overestimate how many slots are needed. if type_.size_in_bytes is slightly more than a power of 2, the calculation can underestimate how many slots are needed.

the following two example contracts can result in overwriting of the variable vulnerable:

large_array: address[2**64 + 1]  # type_.size_in_bytes == 32 * (2**64 + 1); math.ceil(type_.size_in_bytes / 32) < 2**64 + 1
vulnerable: uint256

# writing to self.large_array[2**64] will overwrite self.vulnerable

large_dynarray: DynArray[address, 2**64]  # Dynarray has a length word in front, its size in bytes is 32 * (2**64 + 1)
vulnerable: uint256

# writing to self.large_dynarray[2**64 - 1] will overwrite self.vulnerable

note that in the latter case, the risk of vulnerable being overwritten is relatively small, since it would cost roughly $1.45 million trillion USD at today's gas prices (gas price 20gwei, ETH ~= $1800) in order to extend the DynArray to its full container size.

CVE-2023-46247 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (High). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (0.3.8); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

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patched by v0.3.8, specifically in commit https://github.com/vyperlang/vyper/commit/0bb7203b584e771b23536ba065a6efda457161bb.

1. What is CVE-2023-46247? CVE-2023-46247 is a high-severity security vulnerability in vyper (pip), affecting versions <= 0.3.7. It is fixed in 0.3.8.
2. How severe is CVE-2023-46247? CVE-2023-46247 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of vyper are affected by CVE-2023-46247? vyper (pip) versions <= 0.3.7 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2023-46247? Yes. CVE-2023-46247 is fixed in 0.3.8. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2023-46247 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-46247 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2023-46247 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2023-46247? Upgrade vyper to 0.3.8 or later.

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