CVE-2023-28126 in Avalanche EnterpriseServer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Avalanche versions 6.3.x and below that could allow an attacker to gain access by exploiting the SetUser method or can exploit the Race Condition in the authentication message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28126 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Avalanche software versions 6.3.x and earlier, exposing systems to unauthorized access through two distinct exploitation vectors. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the authentication framework, specifically targeting the SetUser method and exploiting race conditions present in authentication message processing. The flaw allows malicious actors to circumvent normal authentication procedures without proper credentials, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that it affects widely deployed software versions, making numerous systems susceptible to exploitation. The authentication bypass occurs at the core of the application's security model, undermining fundamental access control measures that should protect system resources and sensitive data from unauthorized users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack pathways that leverage different aspects of the authentication process. The first vector exploits the SetUser method by allowing attackers to manipulate user session parameters without proper authentication validation, effectively enabling privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. The second vector targets race conditions within authentication message handling, where concurrent requests can be manipulated to bypass authentication checks through timing-based exploits. These race conditions occur when multiple authentication requests are processed simultaneously, creating temporal windows where the system fails to properly validate user credentials before granting access. The vulnerability's root cause lies in inadequate input sanitization and insufficient synchronization mechanisms during authentication processing, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that exploit these weaknesses. This flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-362, which covers race conditions that can lead to security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-28126 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive system resources. Organizations utilizing affected Avalanche versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete loss of system integrity, allowing attackers to modify configurations, access confidential data, and potentially disrupt business operations. Security teams must recognize that this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is high. The race condition aspect of the vulnerability also introduces unpredictable exploitation timing, complicating detection and response efforts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to maintain long-term access to systems while remaining undetected, potentially leading to extended periods of unauthorized data access and system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28126 require immediate action to address both identified exploitation vectors through comprehensive security updates and configuration hardening. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Avalanche versions that have patched this vulnerability, ensuring that all systems are running the latest secure releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns. Security configurations should be reviewed to strengthen authentication mechanisms, including implementing proper input validation and synchronization controls to prevent race condition exploitation. Additional protective measures include enabling multi-factor authentication where possible, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, and T1190, which addresses exploitation of remote services. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure rapid deployment of security updates and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address authentication bypass vulnerabilities. Regular security awareness training for administrators can help identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper system monitoring practices are maintained.