CVE-2023-38994

Name: CVE-2023-38994
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-10-31T12:15:08.683+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.35%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-38994 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The 'check_univention_joinstatus' prometheus monitoring script (and other scripts) in UCS 5.0-5 revealed the LDAP plaintext password of the machine account in the process list allowing attackers with local ssh access to gain higher privileges and perform followup attacks. By default, the configuration of UCS does not allow local ssh access for regular users.. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The 'check_univention_joinstatus' prometheus monitoring script (and other scripts) in UCS 5.0-5 revealed the LDAP plaintext password of the machine account in the process list allowing attackers with local ssh access to gain higher privileges and perform followup attacks. By default, the configuration of UCS does not allow local ssh access for regular users.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.35%

26.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-668

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Univention	Univention Corporate Server	5.0

References

https://forge.univention.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=56324Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://forge.univention.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=56324#c0Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://raeph123.github.io/BlogPosts/Univention/Simple_yet_effective_The_story_of_some_simple_bugs_that_led_to_the_complete_compromise_of_a_network_en.html
https://www.drive-byte.de/en/blog/simple-yet-effective-the-story-of-some-simple-bugs-that-led-to-the-complete-compromise-of-a-networkExploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://forge.univention.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=56324Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://forge.univention.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=56324#c0Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://www.drive-byte.de/en/blog/simple-yet-effective-the-story-of-some-simple-bugs-that-led-to-the-complete-compromise-of-a-networkExploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 31, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-38994?

How severe is CVE-2023-38994?

CVE-2023-38994 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.35% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38994?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-38994?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST