Zed!: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
CVE-2023-50444 is a high-severity improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability in Zed! from Primx, 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 versions q.2020.3, 2023.5, q.2021.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Zed! to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.61% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Zed! to q.2020.3 or 2023.5 or q.2021.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Zedmail to 2023.5 or a later version.
- Update Zonecentral to q.2021.2 or 2023.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on primx.eu 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primx | Zed! | before q.2020.3; 2023.0 up to, but not including, 2023.5; q.2021.0 up to, but not including, q.2021.2 | q.2020.3, 2023.5, q.2021.2 |
| Primx | Zedmail | before 2023.5 | 2023.5 |
| Primx | Zonecentral | before q.2021.2; 2023.0 up to, but not including, 2023.5 | q.2021.2, 2023.5 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. 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.
Official description
By default, .ZED containers produced by PRIMX ZED! for Windows before Q.2020.3 (ANSSI qualification submission); ZED! for Windows before Q.2021.2 (ANSSI qualification submission); ZONECENTRAL for Windows before Q.2021.2 (ANSSI qualification submission); ZONECENTRAL for Windows before 2023.5; ZEDMAIL for Windows before 2023.5; and ZED! for Windows, Mac, Linux before 2023.5 include an encrypted version of sensitive user information, which could allow an unauthenticated attacker to obtain it via brute force.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Common protection mechanisms include: Disconnecting the user after a small number of failed attempts Implementing a timeout Locking out a targeted account Requiring a computational task on the user's part.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
More Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerabilities (CWE-307)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- primx.eu/fr/blog/Product
Recent Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.