CVE-2023-4818Public exploit

Root code execution via colon-tokenized partition name

Published Jan 15, 2024 · Updated Jun 17, 2025

Bootloader downgrade in PAX Technology A920 before A920_AP_Boot_Release_V5.14 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root code execution. The fastboot flashing handler checks the literal partition name before splitting it at a colon, so aboot: evades the version check and resolves to aboot. Physical USB access and a PAX-signed older bootloader are required; the downgrade enables exploitation of that bootloader for root execution.

CVSS severity7.6
High
EPSS probability0.66%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Bootloader downgrade in PAX Technology A920 before A920_AP_Boot_Release_V5.14 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root code execution. The fastboot flashing handler checks the literal partition name before splitting it at a colon, so aboot: evades the version check and resolves to aboot. Physical USB access and a PAX-signed older bootloader are required; the downgrade enables exploitation of that bootloader for root execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-4818
Published
Jan 15, 2024
Updated
Jun 17, 2025
Vendor
PAX Technology
Product
A920
Classifications
CWE-74, CAPEC-176, T1689
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 15, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 17, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <A920_AP_Boot_Release_V5.14

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

PAX Technology · A920version=0 <A920_AP_Boot_Release_V5.14

Published CVSS scores

7.3STM CyberCVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.6NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CAPEC-176Configuration/Environment Manipulation
T1689Downgrade Attack

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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