CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-23168NVD status: Analyzed

Director: Authentication Bypass by Spoofing

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-23168 is a high-severity authentication bypass by spoofing vulnerability in Director from Versa, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Director versions: 21.2.2 and earlier; 21.2.3 and earlier; 22.1.1 and earlier, 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 0.41% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Director you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on security-portal.versa-networks.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
VersaDirector21.2.2 and earlier; 21.2.3 and earlier; 22.1.1 and earlier; 22.1.2 and earlier; 22.1.3 and earlier; 22.1.4 and earlierNot stated
Versa-networksVersa Director21.2.2; 21.2.3; 22.1.2; 22.1.3; 22.1.4Not stated

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
LowA basic user account is enough.
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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.3MediumCNA (hackerone.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

The Versa Director SD-WAN orchestration platform implements Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using One-Time Passcodes (OTP) delivered via email or SMS. Versa Director accepts untrusted user input when dispatching 2FA codes, allowing an attacker who knows a valid username and password to redirect the OTP delivery (SMS/email) to their own device. OTP/TOTP codes are not invalidated after use, enabling reuse by an attacker who has previously intercepted or obtained a valid code. In addition, the 2FA system does not adequately restrict the number or frequency of login attempts. The OTP values are generated from a relatively small keyspace, making brute-force attacks more feasible. Exploitation Status: Versa Networks is not aware of any reported instance where this vulnerability was exploited. Proof of concept for this vulnerability has been disclosed by third party security researchers. Workarounds or Mitigation: Versa recommends that Director be upgraded to one of the remediated software versions.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass by Spoofing

This attack-focused weakness is caused by incorrectly implemented authentication schemes that are subject to spoofing attacks.

More Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerabilities (CWE-290)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Director

All Director vulnerabilities

Recent Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerabilities

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