CVE-2023-40146

Name: CVE-2023-40146
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2024-04-17T13:15:07.143+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 1.44%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-40146 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the /bin/login functionality of Peplink Smart Reader v1.2.0 (in QEMU). A specially crafted command line argument can lead to a limited-shell escape and elevated capabilities. EPSS estimates a 1.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the /bin/login functionality of Peplink Smart Reader v1.2.0 (in QEMU). A specially crafted command line argument can lead to a limited-shell escape and elevated capabilities. An attacker can authenticate with hard-coded credentials and execute unblocked default busybox functionality to trigger this vulnerability.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.44%

69.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Peplink	Smart Reader Firmware	1.2.0

References

https://forum.peplink.com/t/peplink-security-advisory-smart-reader-firmware-1-2-0-cve-2023-43491-cve-2023-45209-cve-2023-39367-cve-2023-45744-cve-2023-40146/47256Vendor Advisory
https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2023-1868Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://forum.peplink.com/t/peplink-security-advisory-smart-reader-firmware-1-2-0-cve-2023-43491-cve-2023-45209-cve-2023-39367-cve-2023-45744-cve-2023-40146/47256Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240822-0008/Third Party Advisory
https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2023-1868Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2023-1868

Timeline

Published: Apr 17, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-40146?

How severe is CVE-2023-40146?

CVE-2023-40146 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-40146?

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-2023-40146?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST