CVE-2023-48957Public exploitNetwork attack vector

DNS query disclosure via tunnel bypass

Published Aug 25, 2024 · Updated Mar 14, 2025

Information disclosure in PureVPN Linux client 2.0.2 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to observe DNS queries outside the VPN tunnel. The client sends DNS lookups directly to the ISP or default resolver instead of routing them through the active VPN tunnel. Exposure requires an active VPN connection and a network observer able to monitor the fallback DNS path, revealing queried domain names without altering traffic.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in PureVPN Linux client 2.0.2 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to observe DNS queries outside the VPN tunnel. The client sends DNS lookups directly to the ISP or default resolver instead of routing them through the active VPN tunnel. Exposure requires an active VPN connection and a network observer able to monitor the fallback DNS path, revealing queried domain names without altering traffic.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-48957
Published
Aug 25, 2024
Updated
Mar 14, 2025
Vendor
PureVPN
Product
PureVPN
Classifications
CWE-200, T1040
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 25, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 14, 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=2.0.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

PureVPN · PureVPNversion=2.0.2

Published CVSS scores

5.3NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
5.3CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
T1040Network Sniffing

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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