CVE-2023-43183 in License Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2024
Incorrect access control in Reprise License Management Software Reprise License Manager v15.1 allows read-only users to arbitrarily change the password of an admin and hijack their account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-43183 represents a critical access control flaw within the Reprise License Management Software Reprise License Manager version 15.1. This issue fundamentally undermines the software's security model by permitting unauthorized privilege escalation through improper authentication handling. The flaw exists in the software's user permission system where read-only users can manipulate administrative account credentials, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that should separate different user roles. Such a vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and demonstrates a severe breakdown in the principle of least privilege.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the password modification functionality. When a read-only user attempts to change an administrative password, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to perform such an operation. This weakness creates an arbitrary code execution vector through account takeover, allowing attackers to assume administrative control without proper authentication. The vulnerability can be exploited through direct API calls or user interface interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized tools beyond standard network access to the license management system.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-43183 extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it enables complete administrative takeover of the license management infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains full control over license assignments, user management, system configurations, and potentially access to sensitive licensing data across the entire deployment. This represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on the Reprise License Manager for software license control, as it could lead to unauthorized software distribution, license manipulation, and complete compromise of the licensing ecosystem. The vulnerability affects all read-only users within the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users require different access levels.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including immediate patching of the Reprise License Manager to the latest version that addresses this access control flaw. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the license management system to only authorized personnel. Additional controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular monitoring of account modification activities should be deployed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts, as it enables adversaries to acquire administrative privileges through legitimate account manipulation. Security teams should also conduct immediate audit of administrative account activities and implement strict access logging to detect potential exploitation attempts.