CVE-2023-38733Network attack vector

Authenticated disclosure via logged database connection strings

Published Aug 22, 2023 · Updated Oct 1, 2024

IBM Robotic Process Automation Server 21.0.0 through 21.0.7.3 and 23.0.0 through 23.0.3 exposes database strings to remote authenticated users. Its server installation process writes database connection strings into installation logs that authenticated users can retrieve. Network access with a valid account is required, and the disclosed strings expose sensitive database connection information.

CVSS severity4.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

IBM Robotic Process Automation Server 21.0.0 through 21.0.7.3 and 23.0.0 through 23.0.3 exposes database strings to remote authenticated users. Its server installation process writes database connection strings into installation logs that authenticated users can retrieve. Network access with a valid account is required, and the disclosed strings expose sensitive database connection information.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38733
Published
Aug 22, 2023
Updated
Oct 1, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Robotic Process Automation
Classifications
CWE-532, T1552.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 22, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 1, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=21.0.0 <=21.0.7.1
  2. Affected versionversion=23.0.0 <=23.0.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Robotic Process Automationversion=21.0.0 <=21.0.7.1; version=23.0.0 <=23.0.1

Published CVSS scores

4.3IBM CorporationCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-532Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File
T1552.001Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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