CVE-2023-38120Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Root code execution via unsanitized ping host

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Sep 18, 2024

OS command injection in Adtran SR400ac SmartOS before 12.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via JSON-RPC ping requests. The ping JSON-RPC method builds a system call from the untrusted host parameter without neutralizing shell metacharacters. A session is required, but the disclosed exploit derives the device credential from remotely exposed device data and then obtains a valid session key.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.84%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Adtran SR400ac SmartOS before 12.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via JSON-RPC ping requests. The ping JSON-RPC method builds a system call from the untrusted host parameter without neutralizing shell metacharacters. A session is required, but the disclosed exploit derives the device credential from remotely exposed device data and then obtains a valid session key.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38120
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Sep 18, 2024
Vendor
Adtran
Product
SR400ac
Classifications
CWE-78, T1190, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 18, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <12.1.3.1
  2. Affected versionversion=10.8.8.1 & 10.8.5.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adtran · SR400acversion=0 <12.1.3.1; version=10.8.8.1 & 10.8.5.1

Published CVSS scores

8.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1059.004Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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