CVE-2023-4501

Authentication bypass in OpenText (Micro Focus) Enterprise Server

Description

User authentication with username and password credentials is ineffective in OpenText (Micro Focus) Visual COBOL, COBOL Server, Enterprise Developer, and Enterprise Server (including product variants such as Enterprise Test Server), versions 7.0 patch updates 19 and 20, 8.0 patch updates 8 and 9, and 9.0 patch update 1, when LDAP-based authentication is used with certain configurations. When the vulnerability is active, authentication succeeds with any valid username, regardless of whether the password is correct; it may also succeed with an invalid username (and any password). This allows an attacker with access to the product to impersonate any user. Mitigations: The issue is corrected in the upcoming patch update for each affected product. Product overlays and workaround instructions are available through OpenText Support. The vulnerable configurations are believed to be uncommon. Administrators can test for the vulnerability in their installations by attempting to sign on to a Visual COBOL or Enterprise Server component such as ESCWA using a valid username and incorrect password.

Remediation

Solution:

  • Install 7.0 Patch Update 21, 8.0 Patch Update 10, or 9.0 Patch Update 2, or later, when available. Hotfix overlays are available now for common platforms and can be produced for other platforms; contact OpenText Support to request a hotfix overlay.

Workaround:

  • Contact OpenText Support for workaround details.

Categories

9.8
CVSS
Severity: Critical
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 0.17%
Vendor Advisory microfocus.com
Affected: OpenText Visual COBOL, COBOL Server, Enterprise Developer, Enterprise Server
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-4501?
CVE-2023-4501 has been scored as a critical severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2023-4501?
To fix CVE-2023-4501: Install 7.0 Patch Update 21, 8.0 Patch Update 10, or 9.0 Patch Update 2, or later, when available. Hotfix overlays are available now for common platforms and can be produced for other platforms; contact OpenText Support to request a hotfix overlay.
Is CVE-2023-4501 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2023-4501 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2023-4501?
CVE-2023-4501 affects OpenText Visual COBOL, COBOL Server, Enterprise Developer, Enterprise Server.
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