Cisco BroadWorks: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-20238 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Cisco BroadWorks from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco BroadWorks versions: 23.0; 23.0 ap383785; 23.0 ap382487, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 15.1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 3.21% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Broadworks Xtended Services Platform to 23.0.1075.ap384245 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco BroadWorks | 23.0; 23.0 ap383785; 23.0 ap382487; 23.0 ap381781; 23.0 ap360007; 23.0 ap369295; 23.0 ap366358; 23.0 ap366677; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Broadworks Application Delivery Platform | ri.2023.06; ri.2023.07 | Not stated |
| Cisco | Broadworks Xtended Services Platform | before 23.0.1075.ap384245; 2023.06; 2023.07 | 23.0.1075.ap384245 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the single sign-on (SSO) implementation of Cisco BroadWorks Application Delivery Platform and Cisco BroadWorks Xtended Services Platform could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to forge the credentials required to access an affected system. This vulnerability is due to the method used to validate SSO tokens. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the application with forged credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to commit toll fraud or to execute commands at the privilege level of the forged account. If that account is an Administrator account, the attacker would have the ability to view confidential information, modify customer settings, or modify settings for other users. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need a valid user ID that is associated with an affected Cisco BroadWorks system.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco BroadWorks
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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