CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-34124NVD status: Modified

GMS: Improper Authentication

CVE-2023-34124 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in GMS from SonicWall, 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 GMS versions: 9.3.2-SP1 and earlier versions. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 50.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.07% of all scored CVEs.

Patch now

Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.

What to do

  1. Update Global Management System to 9.3.2 or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on psirt.global.sonicwall.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
SonicWallGMS9.3.2-SP1 and earlier versionsNot stated
SonicWallAnalytics2.5.0.4-R7 and earlier versionsNot stated
SonicWallGlobal Management Systembefore 9.3.2; 9.3.29.3.2

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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCISA (ADP)

Official description

The authentication mechanism in SonicWall GMS and Analytics Web Services had insufficient checks, allowing authentication bypass. This issue affects GMS: 9.3.2-SP1 and earlier versions; Analytics: 2.5.0.4-R7 and earlier versions.

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.

More Improper Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-287)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in GMS

All GMS vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities

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