Samba: smbd allows client access to unix domain sockets on the file system as root
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Official source article: Red Hat RHSA-2023:6209 ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
9.1CriticalCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 72 hours
Critical technical impact with a remotely reachable, unauthenticated path and a public exploit reference; no CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
Published severityCritical→Operational priority:Critical, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
EPSS is 2.41% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Distribution package intelligence
Release-specific package status
Alpine, Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
7 package states
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Distribution release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Alpine v3.23v3.23 · main
samba
Vendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2023-44586
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 72 hours
Critical technical impact with a remotely reachable, unauthenticated path and a public exploit reference; no CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
Patch available
01
What, why and how
A path traversal vulnerability was identified in Samba when processing client pipe names connecting to Unix domain sockets within a private directory. Samba typically uses this mechanism to connect SMB clients to remote procedure call (RPC) services like SAMR LSA or SPOOLSS, which Samba initiates on demand. However, due to inadequate sanitization of incoming client pipe names, allowing a client to send a pipe name containing Unix directory traversal characters (../). This could result in SMB clients connecting as root to Unix domain sockets outside the private directory. If an attacker or client managed to send a pipe name resolving to an external service using an existing Unix domain socket, it could potentially lead to unauthorized access to the service and consequential adverse events, including compromise or service crashes.
What
A path traversal vulnerability was identified in Samba when processing client pipe names connecting to Unix domain sockets within a private directory. Samba typically uses this mechanism to connect SMB clients to remote procedure call (RPC) services like SAMR LSA or SPOOLSS, which Samba initiates on demand. However, due to inadequate sanitization of incoming client pipe names, allowing a client to send a pipe name containing Unix directory traversal characters (../). This could result in SMB clients connecting as root to Unix domain sockets outside the private directory. If an attacker or client managed to send a pipe name resolving to an external service using an existing Unix domain socket, it could potentially lead to unauthorized access to the service and consequential adverse events, including compromise or service crashes.
Why
Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
What
A path traversal vulnerability was identified in Samba when processing client pipe names connecting to Unix domain sockets within a private directory. Samba typically uses this mechanism to connect SMB clients to remote procedure call (RPC) services like SAMR LSA or SPOOLSS, which Samba initiates on demand. However, due to inadequate sanitization of incoming client pipe names, allowing a client to send a pipe name containing Unix directory traversal characters (../). This could result in SMB clients connecting as root to Unix domain sockets outside the private directory. If an attacker or client managed to send a pipe name resolving to an external service using an existing Unix domain socket, it could potentially lead to unauthorized access to the service and consequential adverse events, including compromise or service crashes.
Why
Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may disrupt the affected service.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
Likely attack path
a network path → Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') → disrupt the affected service
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedDenial of serviceCWE-22Public exploit reference
A
Official authority intelligence
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-44586Official EUVD mapping
0 linked advisory records.
Official EUVD record ↗BSI · German · WID-SEC-2025-0168Oracle JD Edwards: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Ein entfernter, anonymer oder authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Oracle JD Edwards ausnutzen, um die Vertraulichkeit, Integrität und Verfügbarkeit zu gefährden.
Official advisory ↗BSI · German · WID-SEC-2024-0523SolarWinds Security Event Manager: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Ein entfernter, anonymer oder authentifizierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in SolarWinds Security Event Manager ausnutzen, um beliebigen Code auszuführen, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu umgehen, vertrauliche Informationen preiszugeben und einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu verursachen.
Official advisory ↗BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-2620Samba: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Ein entfernter anonymer oder authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Samba ausnutzen, um einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu erzeugen, Dateien zu manipulieren oder vertrauliche Informationen offenzulegen.
Official advisory ↗Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20231108Security Bulletin 08 Nov 2023
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 08 Nov 2023, published on 8 November 2023. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2025-AVI-0309Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits IBM
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2024-AVI-0423Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits NetApp
De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans les produits NetApp. Elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer un déni de service à distance, une atteinte à la confidentialité des données, une atteinte à l'intégrité des données.
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2024-AVI-0262Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits IBM
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2023-AVI-1011Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits Qnap
De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans les produits Qnap . Elles permettent à un attaquant
de provoquer un problème de sécurité non spécifié par l'éditeur, une
exécution de code arbitraire et une injection de code indirecte à
distance (XSS).
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2023-AVI-0831Multiples vulnérabilités dans Samba
De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans Samba . Elles permettent à un attaquant de
provoquer un déni de service à distance, un contournement de la
politique de sécurité et une atteinte à la confidentialité des données.
Official advisory ↗JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2023-016413Samba Project の Samba 等複数ベンダの製品におけるパストラバーサルの脆弱性
Official advisory ↗NCSC-NL · Dutch · NCSC-2025-0026Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Oracle JD Edwards
De kwetsbaarheden in Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools stellen ongeauthenticeerde kwaadwillenden in staat om het systeem te compromitteren via HTTP-verzoeken. Dit kan leiden tot ongeautoriseerde toegang tot kritieke gegevens en gegevenswijzigingen.
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 3 Nov 2023 · Last source change 20 Nov 2025, 19:51 UTC · CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-44586
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Missing structured fields: affected versions. Missing data is not evidence of low risk; review the primary advisory.
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.