CVE-2023-4501

9.8 CRITICAL 0.8% exploit odds Fix listed Auth & access Server

What it is

User authentication with username and password credentials is ineffective in OpenText (Micro Focus) Visual COBOL, COBOL Server, Enterprise Developer, and Enterprise Server (including product variants such as Enterprise Test Server), versions 7.0 patch updates 19 and 20, 8.0 patch updates 8 and 9, and 9.0 patch update 1, when LDAP-based authentication is used with certain configurations. When the vulnerability is active, authentication succeeds with any valid username, regardless of whether the password is correct; it may also succeed with an invalid username (and any password). This allows an attacker with access to the product to impersonate any user. Mitigations: The issue is corrected in the upcoming patch update for each affected product. Product overlays and workaround instructions are available through OpenText Support. The vulnerable configurations are believed to be uncommon. Administrators can test for the vulnerability in their installations by attempting to sign on to a Visual COBOL or Enterprise Server component such as ESCWA using a valid username and incorrect password.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 0.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2023-09-12 19:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-08-04 13:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2023-09-12 19:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-08-04 13:17 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.8% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-253
Record status: Modified

Affected

Microfocus Cobol Server 7.0
Microfocus Cobol Server 8.0
Microfocus Cobol Server 9.0
Microfocus Enterprise Developer 7.0
Microfocus Enterprise Developer 8.0
Microfocus Enterprise Developer 9.0
Microfocus Enterprise Server 7.0
Microfocus Enterprise Server 8.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-4501.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-4501. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

· More options · Status badge

Download Square Reddit

Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record