CVE-2023-46393 in gougucms
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
gougucms v4.08.18 was discovered to contain a password reset poisoning vulnerability which allows attackers to arbitrarily reset users' passwords via a crafted packet.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46393 affects gougucms version 4.08.18 and represents a critical password reset poisoning flaw that compromises user authentication security. This vulnerability resides within the password reset functionality of the content management system, creating a pathway for unauthorized individuals to manipulate the reset process and gain control over user accounts. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious packets that can trigger password resets for any user within the system, fundamentally undermining the authentication mechanisms that protect user access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the password reset component. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially crafted network packets that manipulate the reset flow, potentially bypassing normal authentication checks and verification processes. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through spearphishing with watering hole attacks. The flaw essentially creates a trust relationship manipulation where the system fails to properly validate the legitimacy of reset requests, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary data that triggers unauthorized password changes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise, as it can lead to full system infiltration and persistent access. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can reset passwords for multiple user accounts including administrative ones, potentially gaining elevated privileges and complete control over the CMS installation. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on gougucms for content management, as the compromise of a single user account can escalate to full system access. The vulnerability also enables credential stuffing attacks and can be leveraged in broader attack campaigns targeting the organization's digital infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-46393 should focus on immediate patching of the affected gougucms version to address the root cause of the password reset poisoning vulnerability. Organizations should implement robust input validation and sanitization measures within their authentication flows, ensuring that all reset requests undergo strict verification processes including proper session management and request origin validation. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and rate limiting for reset requests can help detect and prevent abuse of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and monitoring for unusual password reset activities can provide additional layers of defense. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in authentication mechanisms that align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through legitimate credentials and access tokens.