CVE-2023-2958 in ATS Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2023
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Origin Software ATS Pro allows Authentication Abuse, Authentication Bypass.This issue affects ATS Pro: before 20230714.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-2958 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within Origin Software ATS Pro that fundamentally undermines the application's authentication mechanisms. This issue manifests as an authorization bypass through user-controlled key vulnerability, where an attacker can manipulate authentication tokens or keys to gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of ATS Pro prior to the 20230714 release, indicating that this weakness was introduced in a specific codebase version and potentially addressed in subsequent updates. The flaw falls under the broader category of authentication abuse, where the system fails to properly validate user-provided keys or tokens, allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass normal authentication procedures. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the core security model of the application, as it enables attackers to assume identities or access privileges they should not legitimately possess.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves the application's improper handling of user-controlled authentication keys or tokens within the ATS Pro environment. When the system processes user input for authentication purposes, it appears to accept and trust user-controlled values without sufficient validation or sanitization mechanisms. This weakness creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious inputs that manipulate the authentication flow, potentially allowing them to access restricted functionality or data within the application. The vulnerability's classification as an authentication bypass indicates that the system's authorization checks are circumvented through manipulation of key parameters, possibly through injection techniques or by exploiting trust relationships within the authentication framework. The specific nature of user-controlled key manipulation suggests that the application may be relying on insecure key management practices or insufficient input validation when processing authentication requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture that could lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive configuration data, user credentials, or system resources that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The implications are particularly severe in environments where ATS Pro is used for critical infrastructure monitoring or security operations, as unauthorized access could enable attackers to disrupt services, exfiltrate sensitive information, or establish persistent access to the system. This vulnerability also poses risks to the overall security posture of organizations relying on the software, as it may serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks or lateral movement within the network. The potential for privilege escalation means that attackers could move from basic user access to administrative privileges, depending on the system's access controls and the scope of the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2958 should focus on immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided patch released after the 20230714 version, as well as implementing additional defensive measures to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions of ATS Pro and ensure all instances are updated to the latest secure release. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched version to confirm that authentication mechanisms function correctly and that no regressions have been introduced. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around authentication-related activities and unusual access patterns. Additional controls may include input validation measures, key rotation policies, and enhanced authentication auditing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses authorization issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, as well as potential ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while ensuring that authentication mechanisms are properly hardened against user-controlled input manipulation.