Simple Editor: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
CVE-2023-40511 is a high-severity insufficiently protected credentials vulnerability in Simple Editor from LG, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 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 3.21.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Simple Editor to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 73% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Simple Editor to 3.21.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG | Simple Editor | LG Simple Editor 3.21.0; before 3.21.0 | 3.21.0 |
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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.0 | 7.5 | High | CNA (trendmicro.com) |
Official description
LG Simple Editor checkServer Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of LG Simple Editor. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the checkServer method. The issue results from the exposure of plaintext credentials. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. . Was ZDI-CAN-20013.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
More Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-522)
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
Third-party and government advisories
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1215/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Simple Editor
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
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