CVE-2023-46453Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authentication bypass via Lua pattern and SQL injection

Published May 8, 2026 · Updated May 8, 2026

Authentication bypass in GL.iNet routers with 4.x firmware allows remote attackers to obtain an administrative web session via crafted login data. The login_test function in /usr/sbin/gl-ngx-session treats the username as a Lua pattern against /etc/shadow, while get_acl_by_username inserts the same value into an unparameterized SQLite query. A username valid as both a pattern and SQL expression matches root account data, returns the root ACL group, and enables access without a password.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.76%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in GL.iNet routers with 4.x firmware allows remote attackers to obtain an administrative web session via crafted login data. The login_test function in /usr/sbin/gl-ngx-session treats the username as a Lua pattern against /etc/shadow, while get_acl_by_username inserts the same value into an unparameterized SQLite query. A username valid as both a pattern and SQL expression matches root account data, returns the root ACL group, and enables access without a password.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-46453
Published
May 8, 2026
Updated
May 8, 2026
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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