CVE-2023-46045 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Graphviz versions from 2.36.0 through all 9.x releases prior to 10.0.1. The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read triggered by processing a specially crafted config6a configuration file. This type of vulnerability (CWE-125) occurs when a program reads data outside the bounds of allocated memory, which can lead to information disclosure, crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the context. The vulnerability is notable because the config6a file is typically owned by the root user, which may limit exploitability in many environments. However, if an attacker can supply or influence the config6a file, they could exploit this flaw to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 (high), reflecting the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring local access and user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor information are provided in the source data. Graphviz is a widely used open-source graph visualization software, often employed in software development, documentation generation, and data analysis pipelines. The vulnerability could be exploited by local users or attackers who gain limited access to the system to escalate privileges or cause denial of service.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-46045 depends on the extent of Graphviz deployment and the security posture of systems running it. Organizations using Graphviz in development environments, automated documentation, or data visualization pipelines may face risks of information leakage or service disruption. Since the vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, the primary threat vector is from insider threats or attackers who have already compromised low-privilege accounts. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation if the config6a file is manipulated, potentially allowing attackers to gain root-level control. This could result in data breaches, disruption of critical business processes, or lateral movement within networks. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact scores, organizations handling sensitive data or critical infrastructure should prioritize mitigation. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code may emerge. Compliance with European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could be jeopardized if this vulnerability leads to unauthorized data access or system compromise.

1. Immediately upgrade Graphviz to version 10.0.1 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. If upgrading is not feasible, consider applying any available vendor patches or workarounds. 2. Restrict access to the config6a file strictly to trusted administrators and root users to prevent unauthorized modification or replacement. 3. Implement strict local user access controls and monitor for unusual file changes or access patterns related to Graphviz configuration files. 4. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring tools to detect and prevent unauthorized changes to configuration files. 5. Limit the use of Graphviz on critical systems or isolate it within secure environments to reduce attack surface. 6. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on local privilege escalation vectors. 7. Educate system administrators and developers about the risks of local file manipulation and the importance of secure configuration management. 8. Monitor security advisories for updates or exploit reports related to CVE-2023-46045 to respond promptly to emerging threats.