CVE-2023-4125Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Account compromise via space-only password acceptance

Published Aug 3, 2023 · Updated Oct 10, 2024

Weak password validation in Apache Answer before 1.1.0 allows remote authenticated users to set space-only passwords. The CheckPassword routine accepted any 8-to-32-character value, including only spaces, because its strength threshold was zero and whitespace was not rejected. A valid account is required for the scored attack path; public records do not explain how a user-selected weak password causes the reported full compromise.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.88%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Weak password validation in Apache Answer before 1.1.0 allows remote authenticated users to set space-only passwords. The CheckPassword routine accepted any 8-to-32-character value, including only spaces, because its strength threshold was zero and whitespace was not rejected. A valid account is required for the scored attack path; public records do not explain how a user-selected weak password causes the reported full compromise.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-4125
Published
Aug 3, 2023
Updated
Oct 10, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Answer
Classifications
CWE-521, T1110.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 3, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 10, 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=unspecified <v1.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Answerversion=unspecified <v1.1.0

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8huntr.devCVSS: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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-521Weak Password Requirements
T1110.001Password Guessing

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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