UniData: Improper Authentication
CVE-2023-28503 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in UniData from Rocket Software, 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. The record lists version 8.2.43.3003 as the first without the flaw, so updating UniData to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 60.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.84% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update UniData to 8.2.43.3003 or a later version.
- Update UniVerse to 11.3.5.1001 or 12.2.1.2002, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Software | UniData | before 8.2.43.3003 | 8.2.43.3003 |
| Rocket Software | UniVerse | before 11.3.5.1001; before 12.2.1.2002 | 11.3.5.1001, 12.2.1.2002 |
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 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
Rocket Software UniData versions prior to 8.2.4 build 3003 and UniVerse versions prior to 11.3.5 build 1001 or 12.2.1 build 2002 suffer from an authentication bypass vulnerability, where a special username with a deterministic password can be leveraged to bypass authentication checks and execute OS commands as the root user.
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: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in UniData
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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