CVE-2023-48028 in kodbox
Summary
by MITRE • 11/18/2023
kodbox 1.46.01 has a security flaw that enables user enumeration. This problem is present on the login page, where an attacker can identify valid users based on varying response messages, potentially paving the way for a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48028 affects kodbox version 1.46.01 and represents a critical security flaw that enables user enumeration through the login page interface. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of authentication responses, where different messages are returned to users attempting to log in with either valid or invalid credentials. The flaw allows attackers to distinguish between valid and invalid usernames through subtle variations in error messages, creating a pathway for systematic user account discovery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the authentication module of kodbox, specifically on the login endpoint where user input validation and response generation fail to maintain consistent messaging regardless of the credential validity. When an attacker submits a username that exists in the system, the application returns a different error message compared to when they submit a non-existent username. This differential response behavior creates a timing attack vector that can be exploited through automated tools to systematically enumerate valid user accounts. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-204, which addresses information exposure through inconsistent error messages, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts through default credentials or weak authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user enumeration, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of the affected system. An attacker who successfully identifies valid users can proceed with targeted brute force attacks, credential stuffing campaigns, or password spraying techniques against the discovered accounts. The vulnerability effectively reduces the search space for authentication attacks from the entire user base to only those accounts that have been successfully enumerated, making subsequent attacks exponentially more efficient. This flaw particularly impacts environments where user accounts are not properly rate-limited or where additional authentication controls are not implemented to prevent automated enumeration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-48028 should focus on implementing consistent error messaging across all authentication endpoints to prevent information leakage. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all authentication attempts, regardless of whether the username exists or not, return identical error responses to maintain uniformity in system behavior. Organizations should implement rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms to prevent automated enumeration attempts, while also considering multi-factor authentication implementations to add additional security layers. The solution should also include monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that may indicate enumeration attempts, and implementing proper access controls to limit the exposure of authentication endpoints to unauthorized users. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block patterns associated with user enumeration attacks, while ensuring that all authentication systems maintain consistent behavior to prevent information disclosure through response variations.