CVE-2023-47101 in SSL VPN Client
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
The installer (aka openvpn-client-installer) in Securepoint SSL VPN Client before 2.0.40 allows local privilege escalation during installation or repair.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47101 affects the Securepoint SSL VPN Client installer component, specifically the openvpn-client-installer utility. This flaw represents a critical local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited during either the initial installation process or subsequent repair operations of the VPN client software. The vulnerability stems from inadequate permission handling within the installer's execution environment, creating a pathway for unprivileged users to elevate their system privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, representing an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs during the installer's privilege management routines. When the installer executes with elevated privileges during installation or repair operations, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the execution context, allowing local users to manipulate the installation process. This flaw specifically manifests when the installer does not properly drop privileges or validate user permissions before executing privileged operations, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be injected or executed with system-level privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations deploying the Securepoint SSL VPN Client, particularly in environments where users may have limited administrative rights but could potentially exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized system access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered during routine maintenance operations such as software updates or repairs, making exploitation more likely and harder to detect. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 2.0.40, indicating that organizations with older installations face elevated risk levels.
The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it occurs during legitimate installation processes, which typically run with elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this by either pre-positioning malicious code that gets executed during installation or by manipulating the installation environment to force privilege escalation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise, as attackers could install backdoors, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data that requires elevated permissions to read or modify.
Organizations should immediately update their Securepoint SSL VPN Client installations to version 2.0.40 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should monitor installation and repair activities for any unusual behavior and implement proper access controls to limit who can initiate these operations. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the vendor-provided patch, conducting vulnerability scans to identify affected systems, and implementing security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege minimization practices should also be reinforced to reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs.