OpenAM: Unverified Password Change
CVE-2026-46623 is a high-severity unverified password change vulnerability in OpenAM from OpenIdentityPlatform, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected OpenAM versions: < 16.1.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of OpenAM you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com 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.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenIdentityPlatform | OpenAM | < 16.1.1 | Not 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.
- Attack requirements
- PresentThe target must be in a specific state or configuration for the attack to work.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- ActiveA user must deliberately do something unusual, such as dismissing a warning.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- NoneNo loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Open Access Management (OpenAM) is an access management solution. Prior to 16.1.1, the OAuth2 authentication module updates an existing local account with profile attributes that can include userPassword and inetUserStatus, rewriting the password to the username and reactivating disabled accounts. The missing OAuth.removeRestrictedAccountUpdateAttributes filtering permits these credential and status fields to reach the account update. With account creation enabled, repeated OAuth login causes the default ldapService chain to accept the username as both identifier and password, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to take over the local account without interacting with the identity provider. The rewrite can be denied for usernames shorter than the configured minimum password length. This issue is fixed in version 16.1.1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change
When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
- Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.
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
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in OpenAM
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.