CVE-2023-40743Network attack vector

Remote code execution via dangerous JNDI lookup

Published Sep 5, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Improper input validation in Apache Axis 1.x through 1.3 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted service lookups. ServiceFactory.getService accepts an attacker-controlled jndiName and passes it to JNDI, allowing LDAP, RMI, JMS, JMX, JRMP, Java, or DNS resolution that can reach internal services or load code. Exploitation requires an application to pass untrusted data to this API; the resulting impact ranges from denial of service and SSRF to remote code execution.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Apache Axis 1.x through 1.3 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted service lookups. ServiceFactory.getService accepts an attacker-controlled jndiName and passes it to JNDI, allowing LDAP, RMI, JMS, JMX, JRMP, Java, or DNS resolution that can reach internal services or load code. Exploitation requires an application to pass untrusted data to this API; the resulting impact ranges from denial of service and SSRF to remote code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40743
Published
Sep 5, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Axis
Classifications
CWE-20, CWE-75, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 5, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 2025Record 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=0 <=1.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Axisversion=0 <=1.3

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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.

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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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
CWE-75Failure to Sanitize Special Elements into a Different Plane
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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