CVE-2023-45744Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Configuration modification via unauthenticated file upload

Published Apr 17, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Improper access control in Peplink Smart Reader 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to stage configuration changes through an HTTP upload. The upload_config.cgi handler performs no authentication, decodes and minimally validates the supplied archive, then copies it into /etc/masterconfig. An authenticated user must apply the staged changes; doing so can replace the administrative password, cause lockout, and grant the attacker future authenticated access.

CVSS severity8.3
High
EPSS probability1.31%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in Peplink Smart Reader 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to stage configuration changes through an HTTP upload. The upload_config.cgi handler performs no authentication, decodes and minimally validates the supplied archive, then copies it into /etc/masterconfig. An authenticated user must apply the staged changes; doing so can replace the administrative password, cause lockout, and grant the attacker future authenticated access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-45744
Published
Apr 17, 2024
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Peplink
Product
Smart Reader
Classifications
CWE-284, T1098
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 17, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 4, 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=v1.2.0
  2. Affected versionversion=v1.2.0 (in QEMU)

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Peplink · Smart Readerversion=v1.2.0; version=v1.2.0 (in QEMU)

Published CVSS scores

8.3Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/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-284Improper Access Control
T1098Account Manipulation

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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